24 Steps to Erecting a Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Individual characteristics of proposals may require additional related actions, the combination of two or more actions, or a change in the orders as is outlined in this guide.

1. Memorial sponsor seeks National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) assistance to review the requirements and process established by the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) and its applicability to the proposed memorial.
   
   
2. Memorial sponspr seeks a Senator or Representative who is willing to draft and introduce a bill to authorize establishement of this memorial.
   
   
3. Staffs of NCMAC, Member of Congress who introduce it, and authoring committees draft a bill that conforms to the provisions of the CWA.
   
   
4. Congressman and/or Senator introduce bill authorizing the memorial and designating sponsor as the entity repsonsible for its erection at no cost to the Federal Government.
   
   
5. NCAMAC considers proposed authorizing legislation to establish its views pursuant to CWA.
   
   
6. Chairman of House and Senate authorizing subcommittees solicit views of NCMAC, may hold hearings on proposed authorizing legislation, and take action on a bill before sending it to he full House and Senate for a vote on the bill.
   
   
7. President signs bill into law if it passes Congress.
   
   
8. Memorial sponsor organized the structure of the entity that will establish the memorial and begins planning for fund-raising efforts.
   
   
9. If requested by the sponsor, Secratary of the Interior or the Administator of the General Services Administration (GSA), depending on whose land is involved, seeks the advice of NCMAC to determine whether the memorial warrants placement in Area I. Secretary or Administrator, if requested, notifies Congress of a determination that the subject is of preeminent and lasting historical significance so that Congress can consider passage of legislation authorizing an Area I location.
   
   
10. Memorial sponsor works with staff of NCMAC to identify potential sites and prepare alternative site study and accompanying preliminary environmental analysis.
    
    
11. Memorial sponsor submits alternative site study and accompanying preliminary environmental to NPS or GSA for approval of preferred site. After consultation with NCMAC, NPS, or GSA approves a site on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior or Administrator of GSA, depending on whose land is affected.
    
    
12. NPS or GSA submits approved site to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) for approval and initiates consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).
    
    
13. After site approval by the NCPC and CFA and comment by SHPO, the design process begins.
    
    
14. Memorial sponsor selects (1) a designer, or (2) a coordinator for design competition if a competition is to be held.
    
    
15. Memorial sponsor selects a preferred design concept and meets with NPS or GSA to discuss issues that design may present. After possible refinements, sponsor submits the design concept and accompanying environmental assessment to the NPS or GSA for approval.
    
    
16. NPS of GSA reviews design concept and, upon concurrence, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
    
    
17. Memorial sponsor, in close coordination with NPS or GSA, refines the design concept on the basis of agency comments and submits preliminary deisgn to the loandholding agency who, upon approval, submits it NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
    
    
18. Memorial sponsor, in close coordination with NPS, reinfines preliminary design on the bases of agency comments and submits final deisng to NPS or GSA who, upon approval, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
    
    
19. Memorial design team completes final drawings and specifications in close cooridination with NPS.
    
    
20. Memorial sponsor completes fund-raising.
    
    
21. Memorial sponsor submits to NPS or GSA final drawings and specifications, cost estimate and evidence of funds on hand plus 10 percent cash payment of design and construction costs for maintenance. The sponsor seeks final approval by the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of GSA.
    
    
22. NPS or GSA issues a costruction permit on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of GSA.
    
    
23. Memorial sponsor begins construction and preparation of operation, maintenance, and preservation plans for the memorial.
    
    
24. Memorial is dedicated and transferred to NPS or GSA for management with accompanying as-built, operation, maintenance, and preservation plans.