President Trump’s proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C. must undergo significant structural revisions to gain final approval, according to the National Planning Commission. The commission cited the 1910 Heights of Buildings Act, which limits buildings to 130 feet, as the primary reason for the required changes.

The proposed monument, featuring a 166-foot mezzanine and 24-foot observation level, topped with a 60-foot statue of Lady Liberty, would exceed the height limit. The Department of Interior argued that the act does not apply to federal buildings, but the commission disagreed, suggesting a compromise to reduce the mezzanine and observation level to 130 feet and 20 feet, respectively.

Triumphal Arch Plans

The commission’s proposal would allow the remaining 40 feet to be added to the statue, resulting in a 100-foot tall Lady Liberty and a 250-foot overall arch. This would still make the arch significantly taller than the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial and roughly 30 feet taller than the world’s largest arch in Mexico City.

The proposed arch has faced intense public criticism, with concerns ranging from its impact on the historic memorial landscape to its potential obstruction of Arlington Cemetery. Witnesses, including Gold Star mother Cynthia Morrison and Vietnam veteran Michael Lemmon, expressed passionate appeals against the proposal, citing its scale, location, and potential disruption to ceremonies and visits to Arlington.

The commission, chaired by Trump White House aide Will Scharf, also raised concerns about the arch’s potential impact on flight paths to nearby Ronald Reagan National Airport and requested revisions to plans for pedestrian accessibility and lighting.

Next Steps

The Federal Aviation Administration must conduct a full aeronautical study before construction can begin, and the commission is seeking revisions to address concerns about traffic poles and stanchions. With no date set for final review, federal officials are pushing for an aggressive work schedule, with 20 hours of construction per day over two years.

The proposed arch, to be built from concrete and finished with granite, has sparked debate about its potential impact on the nation’s capital. As the project moves forward, it will be crucial to balance the need for commemoration with the need to preserve the city’s historic landscape and respect the memories of those honored at Arlington Cemetery.

The outcome of this proposal will have broader implications for the preservation of historic sites and the consideration of new monuments in Washington, D.C., highlighting the importance of careful planning and consideration in the development of the nation’s capital.