What is the Commemorative Works Location Strategy?

The strategy identifies potential locations for commemorative works in public space throughout DC. The strategy is forward looking and identifies potential sites for future commemorative works only – it does not identify sites for specific commemorative works that are currently proposed. There are five preferred locations identified in each Ward – one for commemorating an event of importance to the nation, one for commemorating an event of importance to the District of Columbia, and three for commemorating events specific to a neighborhood. Continue reading, sign-up for our townhall, and take our survey to get involved!

The Commemorative Works Location Strategy will

  • Implement specific policies and actions in the Comprehensive Plan related to siting monuments and memorials in DC;

  • Assist applicants interested in proposing a commemorative work in public space find appropriate locations that relate to the subject of their proposal; and

  • Take the first step toward promoting commemorative works of local people, places, and events reflecting District of Columbia values.

Let's drill into the Prefered Site Selection Process

The Office of Planning (OP) has identified prefered sites for future commemorative works. While OP has taken the first step of narrowing down preferred sites for consideration, we are asking you to:

  • Review our process and
  • Share feedback on the sites selected

Your feedback will help determine site selection and guide our future commermorative work process. Check the Office of Planning’s Commemorative Works Program webpage for future updates on this initiative.

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About the Process

The process to identify preferred locations for commemorative works throughout the District of Columbia included five steps that were discussed with and revised based on comments from the Commemorative Works Committee.

OP used the following concepts to organize the types of sites that were identified.

Commemorative Work Plan strategy

OP conducted a review of the 1,300 sites and narrowed it down to 40.

Commemorative Work Plan strategy

 

We want to hear from you!

Press 'Continue' below or 'Get Involved' at the top of the page to weigh in on the Commemorative Works Location Strategy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A commemorative work is a statue, monument, sculpture, streetscape or landscape feature located in public space that is designed to permanently memorialize an individual group, even or other significant element of international, national or local culture or history.  Previous commemorative works installed in the District include a statue of Carter G. Woodson -- a former resident of the District of Columbia known as the Father of African American History -- or a memorial recognizing the death of five passenger who dies in the Red Line Metro crash in 2005.

Public space is any public street, alley, circle, bridge, building, park or other public place or property owned or under the control of the District of Columbia.  Previous commemorative works approved by the Mayor and District Council have been installed in triangle parks or outside of District buildings.

This 2008, the Mayor and District Council approved five commemorative works:

NameLocationInstallation
Marion Barry, Jr. Bronze Statue 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue NW2018
Carson G. Woodson Memorial9th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW2015
Metro Memorial ParkNew Hampshire Avenue and South Dakota Avenue NE2015
Chuck Brown Memorial Park20th Street NE, between Franklin and Hamlin Streets2014

No. The Commemorative Works Committee is forward-looking, reviews applications for new commemorative works, and advises the Mayor and District Council. For more information on DCFACES, check out https://mayor.dc.gov/dcfaces.

For more information on what qualifies as a commemorative work in public space, the Commemorative Works Committee, and who sits on the Committee, check out the Office of Planning’s webpage:

https://planning.dc.gov/page/commemorative-works-program