$700 million plan to restore the National Mall

The National Mall—known as America’s front yard—is being targeted for a massive rehab and restoration that could cost as much as $700 million (it’s estimated that the Mall has $400 million in deferred maintenance alone). Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis signed the official “record of decision” for the National Park Service's long-range plan for the Mall’s development and conservation on November 9, 2010.

Projects on the agenda include:

Refurbishing the Grant Memorial

Replacing the Capitol Reflecting Pool with a smaller pool or fountain

Building a welcome plaza near the Smithsonian Metro station

Rebuilding the Tidal Basin seawalls and walkways

Reconstructing the Constitution Gardens lake and constructing a multipurpose visitor center

Replacing the Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument with a new multipurpose facility

Paving gravel walkways and reengineering grass turf areas.

View the National Park Service’s National Mall proposal.

The editors of Building Design+Construction present 10 “Great Solutions” that highlight innovative technology and products that can be used to address some of the many problems Building Teams face in their day-to-day work. Readers are encouraged to submit entries for Great Solutions; if we use yours, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate. Look for more Great Solutions in 2012 at: www.bdcnetwork.com/greatsolutions/2012.

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