The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has ended its legally required review of President Trump’s proposed 250‑foot arch in Washington, D.C., after the National Park Service and local preservation groups failed to reach an agreement. The NPS warned the arch would block views of many historic sites, including the Arlington Memorial and the Washington Monument. Vice Chair Travis Voyles said the council will send its comments to the Interior Department by Oct. 7, while preservationists criticized the decision and said officials did not adequately try to address identified harms.
Advisory Council Ends Legally Required Review of Trump’s Proposed 250‑Foot D.C. Arch
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has stopped its legally required consultation into whether President Donald Trump’s proposed 250‑foot arch in Washington, D.C., would overshadow nearby historic sites. The move — unusual for an advisory body — came after the National Park Service (NPS) and local preservation groups were unable to reach agreement on measures to avoid the project’s adverse effects.
The NPS had previously concluded that the arch would obstruct views of dozens of historic locations across the capital, including the Arlington Memorial and the Washington Monument. The agency’s findings prompted intense debate between federal officials, preservation advocates and the council.
Local preservationists told The New York Times they believe the council’s decision is mistaken and that agency officials did not make a sufficient effort to resolve the harms the Park Service identified. Critics say bypassing the standard consultation raises concerns about the thoroughness of the review process.
In a letter to the Park Service, Vice Chair Travis Voyles wrote that the council canceled the consultation "in recognition of the public's significant concerns regarding the adverse effects the undertaking would pose to historic properties." He added that the panel will forward its comments on the project to the Interior Department by Oct. 7.
The Advisory Council is composed largely of appointees aligned with the president, and its decision to forgo the consultation drew attention because the review is normally a required step when a federal undertaking could affect historic properties. Plans for the arch became more complicated after Mr. Trump announced last week that the structure would be used as a military facility.
With the council’s consultation ended, the matter will proceed to the Interior Department for consideration. Preservation groups and other stakeholders have signaled they may continue to press their objections as federal agencies weigh next steps.
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