Letter
Dear Mr. Every:
At its meeting of 21 November, the Commission reviewed two concept submissions for the Pentagon; the Pentagon Secure Bypass (the realigmnent of Route 110) and the new secure access lane to the Remote Delivery Facility paralleling Route 27. As preliminary concepts, both were approved.
However, it is recommended that the design of the blast wall along the northern portion of the secure access lane be given additional study to determine if its apparent visual height could be reduced. Two suggestions were made to achieve this goal. One was to insert a series of step-backs or miniature terraces in the face of the wall that would relieve its verticality and allow additional plantings to soften its face. The second suggestion was to batter the wall's west face at a slight angle to help alleviate its bulk and to allow more sunlight to fall on the pedestrian walkway. Both design ideas would maintain the required protection for the Pentagon Building.
Before the next submission is made, we would appreciate.it if you or your staff would coordinate a site inspection for us with our staff. As for the next submission in the development of these two projects, please develop addition details, particularly for the secure access lane's blast wall, and any changes that would be made to the historic fabric of the Pentagon's east terrace and the new pedestrian and vehicular bridges that would be required when Route 110 is realigned. As always, the staff is available should you or the design team require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/
Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA
Chairman
Mr. Walker Lee Every
Program Manager
Pentagon Renovation Office
Office of the Secretary of Defense
100 Boundary Channel Drive
Arlington, VA 22202-3712
cc: Ms. Stancie Candrell, Architectural Program, Pentagon Renovation Office
Mr. Michael Yopp, Project Coordinator, Pentagon Renovation Office
Mr.Tim Wells, Project Coordinator, Pentagon Renovation Office