National Park Service seeks comment on design of the Fallen Journalists Memorial

News Release Date:
September 30, 2024

Contact:Mike Litterst, 202-306-4166

Washington - Join the National Park Service (NPS) in shaping the design process for the Fallen Journalists Memorial, symbolizing the pursuit of truth, courage, and sacrifice in journalism. The NPS, in cooperation with the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation (Foundation), invites you to share your ideas and feedback on the design concept of the proposed memorial. Visit the project website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fjm) to read more and submit your comments through October 30.

The design concept for the proposed memorial and features a collection of transparent, solid glass elements arranged in a seemingly accidental manner that aggregate to form a cylindrical space, suggesting the way seemingly disconnected facts coalesce to form a journalist's story. The memorial offers multiple entry points, with all paths leading to a circular Remembrance Hall, where the First Amendment is inscribed on a central glass "lens." At night, up-lit glass elements emit a soft glow, with the Capitol dome visible, symbolizing journalism's role in democracy.

This process builds on the site selection for the memorial that was completed in the summer of 2023 and identified Reservation 201 (bounded by Independence Avenue SW, Maryland Avenue SW, and 3rd Street SW) for its a strong visual relationship with the U.S. Capitol dome and the Voice of America headquarters adjacent to the site.

A virtual public scoping meeting to discuss the design of the memorial and answer questions about the project will take place on October 16, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the meeting, National Park Service and Foundation officials will present the design concept and be available for questions. The meeting can be accessed via this link or by dialing (877) 286-5733 and using the conference ID 932372425# (audio only). Comments received will guide the design of the memorial and will be incorporated into an Environmental Assessment that evaluates the memorial would affect the environment and historic features of the site and must be completed before taking any action.

How to Comment
Comments must be submitted in writing, preferably via an online form through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website, used by the agency to manage official correspondence and analyze public comment in the planning process. From the project website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fjm), navigate the menu on the left-hand side of the page to "Open for Comment," then open the "Scoping for the Fallen Journalists" folder. The green "Comment Now" button will take you to the online form.

Comments may also be submitted via U.S. mail to:

Laurel Hammig
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
ATTN: Fallen Journalists Memorial EA

Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by October 30, 2024 to receive consideration. Please be aware that the entire comment submitted - including personal identifying information such as address, phone number, and email address - may be made publicly available. Requests to withhold such personal identifying information from public release will be considered, but there is no guarantee that they will be withheld.

-NPS-

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