LEILA FADEL, HOST:
A federal agency has approved a final design of President Trump's 250-foot arch. NPR's Rachel Treisman reports.
RACHEL TREISMAN, BYLINE: The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose seven members were all appointed by the president, suggested changes to the arch when it gave preliminary approval last month. Lead architect Nicolas Charbonneau said Thursday that his team made some of those changes, like replacing the proposed pedestrian tunnel with crosswalks, but it's keeping the 84-foot golden statues of Lady Liberty and two eagles up top.
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NICOLAS CHARBONNEAU: The president considered the commission's suggestion to look at the arch without the sculptural figures on the roof but elected not to pursue such an option.
TREISMAN: Commissioners listened at a long table covered in miniature models showing the arch in its proposed location - a traffic circle across the Potomac River from the National Mall. They had few questions for the architect, namely, what kinds of artwork would go on its blank walls. Here's architect James McCrery II, the commission's vice chair.
JAMES MCCRERY: We're looking at a well-designed arch, and it's missing - you know, it's one of the key visual components.
TREISMAN: Even without those details, and after over an hour of public pushback, the commission gave its final approval sooner than expected.
REBECCA MILLER: This is supposed to be concept approval, and they've moved to full, which means there's not another hearing on the arch here at CFA.
TREISMAN: That's Rebecca Miller, executive director of the DC Preservation League, who spoke out at the meeting.
MILLER: So it's really disappointing for the public, especially when you have the majority of commenters in opposition to this.
TREISMAN: The meeting had a full audience, some of whom shared their concerns on the microphone. The commission secretary said about 600 others submitted written comments in advance, all but three of which opposed the arch. The most widespread concerns focused on the structure's scale, tone and location. Activist Susan Douglas put it this way.
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SUSAN DOUGLAS: Building this gaudy arch in a location that will overpower everything in its midst and interrupt the historically significant view between Lincoln Memorial and the Arlington National Cemetery is an affront to our history and to the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, as well as to those who remember them.
TREISMAN: The commissioner said many of the public's concerns fall beyond their scope. The National Capital Planning Commission, also packed with Trump allies, will discuss the arch at its meeting in June.
Rachel Treisman, NPR News.
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