project timeline
There are 24 steps in the process to build a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial is following all guidelines and moving at a rapid pace towards construction, with the opening projected for 2025.
Initiation
1. Memorial sponsor seeks National Capital Memorial Commission (NCMC) staff assistance to review the requirements and process established by the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) and its applicability to the proposed memorial.
Legislation
2. Memorial sponsor seeks a Senator or Representative who is willing to draft and introduce a bill to authorize establishment of the memorial.
3. Staffs of NCMC, members of Congress who will introduce bill, and authorizing committees draft a bill that conforms to the provisions of the CWA.
4. Congressman and/or Senator introduces bill authorizing the memorial and designating the sponsor as the entity responsible for its erection at no cost to the federal government.
5. NCMC considers proposed authorizing legislation to establish its views pursuant to CWA.
6. Chairmen of House and Senate authorizing subcommittees solicit views of NCMC, may hold hearings on proposed authorizing legislation, and take action on a bill before sending it to the full House and Senate for a vote on the bill.
7. President signs bill into law if passed by Congress.
8. Memorial sponsor organizes structure of the entity that will establish the memorial and begins planning for fund raising efforts.
Site Selection and Approval
9. Secretary of the Interior or the General Services Administration seeks advice of NCMC to determine whether the memorial warrants placement in Area I. Secretary or Administrator, if requested, notifies Congress of a determination that the subject is of preeminent and lasting historical significance so that Congress can consider passage of legislation authorizing an Area I location.*
10. Memorial sponsor works with staff of NCMC to identify potential sites and prepare alternative site study and accompanying preliminary environmental analysis.*
11. Memorial sponsor submits alternative site study and accompanying preliminary environmental analysis to NPS or GSA for approval of preferred site. After consultation with NCMC, NPS or GSA approves a preferred site on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior or GSA.
12. NPS or GSA submits approved site to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) for approval and initiates consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office.
Design Approval
13. After site approval by NCPC and CFA, and comment by SHPO, the design process begins.
14. Memorial sponsor selects (1) a designer, or coordinator for design if competition is to be held.
15. Memorial sponsor selects preferred design concept and meets with NPS or GSA to discuss issues that design may present. After possible refinements, sponsor submits the design concept and accompanying environmental assessment to NPS or GSA for approval.
16. NPS or GSA reviews design concept and, upon concurrence, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
17. Memorial sponsor, in close coordination with NPS or GSA, refines the design on the basis of agency comments and submits final design to NPS or GSA who, upon approval, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
18. Memorial sponsor, in close coordination with NPS or GSA, refines preliminary design on the basis of agency comments and submits final design to NPS or GSA who, upon approval, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
* 19. Memorial design team completes final drawings and specifications in close coordination with NPS or GSA.
Fundraising and Construction
20. Memorial sponsor completes fundraising
21. Memorial sponsor submits to NPS or GSA final drawings and specifications, cost estimate, and evidence of funds on hand, plus 10 percent cash payment of design and construction costs for maintenance. The sponsor seeks final approval by the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of GSA.
22. NPS or GSA issues a construction permit on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of GSA.
23. Memorial sponsor begins construction and preparation of operation, maintenance, and preservation plans for the memorial.
24. Memorial is dedicated and transferred to NPS or GSA for management with accompanying as-built operation, maintenance, and preservation plans.
CLICK HERE to learn about the people behind construction of the Memorial.
