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MLK Memorial Advances

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The Associated Press

Published: September 5, 2008

WASHINGTON - Construction on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is closer to commencing after a panel overseeing architecture in the nation's capital approved final building plans Thursday.

The 8-2 vote by the National Capital Planning Commission is one of the last steps in a lengthy approval process for the $120 million project.

However, the panel rejected a National Park Service recommendation for security bollards that would help block a truck bomb from reaching the site.

The agency had identified a security threat by extremist groups "spouting racist ideologies," which would work against King's legacy, said Park Service Associate Regional Director Peter May.

"When we begin to hide behind walls and barriers and gates," that goes against King's ideals, said commission Chairman John V. Cogbill III.
Ed Jackson Jr., executive architect of the project, said approval was still needed from the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, which criticized an earlier design. He plans to present final changes to the panel on Sept. 18.

About $100 million has been raised for the effort, and the group must raise an additional $20 million.

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