A proposed 250-foot-tall memorial arch in Washington, D.C., has raised concerns about its potential impact on the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location. The National Park Service has assessed that the arch could disrupt the ‘integrity’ of these historical properties by changing ‘character-defining visual and spatial relationships’ between them.

Historical Significance at Risk

The proposed arch, which has received initial approval from a key federal commission, would be located within the Memorial Avenue Corridor cultural landscape, a nationally significant historic designed landscape extending between the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The arch would break the alignment between the Lincoln Memorial, Memorial Bridge, and Arlington House, formerly Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s home.

The National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and grounds, as well as Lady Bird Johnson Park, would also be directly affected by the proposed structure. The White House has stated that it will follow all legal requirements in constructing the arch, despite opposition from a group of veterans and a historian who have filed a lawsuit challenging its construction.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.