Massive Eisenhower Memorial Could Break Ground as Early as September

Construction could begin as early as September on a proposed memorial for President Dwight D. Eisenhower that has been mired in controversy for almost 20 years. 

That’s according to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the chairman of the House committee that oversees the funding for the project.

“I don’t think there are any obstacles in front of us,” said Rep. Ken Calvert, the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. “We need to get it done. Our World War II heroes are leaving us very quickly.”

The California Republican’s endorsement would be among the final hurdles for the memorial project, which would transform an entire four-acre city block near the National Mall in Washington. The project, designed by architect Frank Gehry, consists of a massive, woven metal tapestry and several statues depicting Eisenhower’s life. Its footprint would be large enough to encompass the Washington Monument and the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials.