Review finds 250-ft Trump arch would harm 40 DC sites

A federal review has concluded that a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch championed by the Trump administration would adversely impact nearly 40 historic landmarks in Washington, D.C., raising significant concerns as the project moves toward a final decision. The National Park Service assessment, conducted under the National Historic Preservation Act, found the monument would alter sightlines and the character of iconic sites including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Capitol.

The arch, proposed for Memorial Circle between the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery, would feature an observation deck and be topped by a 60-foot statue of Lady Liberty. At nearly twice the height limit for most buildings in the capital, its scale has drawn sharp criticism from preservation officials. Virginia's State Historic Preservation Officer, Roger W. Kitchen, stated in a June letter that the adverse effects are intentional and inherent in the design of the arch, arguing it is intended to dominate the surrounding landscape. Arlington County preservation officials echoed that the arch's size would negatively impact the...