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Armenian Genocide Museum of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-383-9009, Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org
PRESS RELEASE
July 11, 2008
CONTACT: Rouben Adalian
Phone: (202) 383-9009
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA PLANS APPROVED BY DC ZONING BOARD
WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA)
cleared another hurdle on July 8 gaining approval from the District of
Columbia's Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for important design
enhancements to the historic National Bank of Washington building,
which will house the museum.
The five-member Zoning Board gave its unanimous approval to the
museum's design plans to allow the addition of a modern structure to
support and facilitate visitor circulation through the museum's
exhibit halls. The new structure allows space for the installation of
modern amenities, including public stairways, elevators, and a lobby
in an adjoining building.
The District of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board, which
approved the museum project on March 27, endorsed the concept of a
complete restoration of the landmark building to its original
architectural appearance, and welcomed the proposal to keep
alterations to the historically-designated building to a minimum by
locating the required modern facilities in the new addition.
"This is an exciting project and it's nice to see that this historic
landmark is finally being put to use," said BZA Chairperson Ruthanne
Miller. Representing the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA)
project at the BZA hearing were Gary Martinez, of Martinez and Johnson
Architecture, and Norman Glasgow, with the law firm of Holland &
Knight, who responded to technical questions regarding the zoning
application.
The Zoning Board noted that the Advisory Neighborhood Commission
(ANC), an important community-based organization whose members are
appointed by the Government of the District of Columbia, as well as
the District's Office of Planning, had expressed their support for the
museum's proposed building addition. The DC ANC commissioners, as an
expression of their strong endorsement of the museum project,
submitted a letter requesting that the BZA "give great weight to our
advice."
"The Zoning Board's favorable action brings the museum another big
step closer to reality," said Van Krikorian, AGMA Trustee and Building
and Operations Committee Chairman. "We are delighted by this latest
development. The schematics for the exhibit designs are now complete.
We were fortunate to have Yerevan's Genocide Museum Director Hayk
Demoyan with us recently in Washington to consult on the project, and
we want to sincerely thank everyone who has helped to get the museum
this far so fast."
The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial will be located at 14th and
G Streets, NW, in Washington, DC and is scheduled to open in 2010. The
five-story historic National Bank of Washington building is slated for
complete restoration and renovation to provide some 18,000 square feet
of exhibit space highlighting the historic identity of the Armenian
people, their culture, and their perseverance in the face of
adversity.
The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is an outgrowth of the
Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Institute
(ANI), catalyzed by the initial pledge of Anoush Mathevosian toward
building such a museum in Washington, DC.
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NR#2008-05
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-383-9009, Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org
PRESS RELEASE
July 11, 2008
CONTACT: Rouben Adalian
Phone: (202) 383-9009
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA PLANS APPROVED BY DC ZONING BOARD
WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA)
cleared another hurdle on July 8 gaining approval from the District of
Columbia's Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for important design
enhancements to the historic National Bank of Washington building,
which will house the museum.
The five-member Zoning Board gave its unanimous approval to the
museum's design plans to allow the addition of a modern structure to
support and facilitate visitor circulation through the museum's
exhibit halls. The new structure allows space for the installation of
modern amenities, including public stairways, elevators, and a lobby
in an adjoining building.
The District of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board, which
approved the museum project on March 27, endorsed the concept of a
complete restoration of the landmark building to its original
architectural appearance, and welcomed the proposal to keep
alterations to the historically-designated building to a minimum by
locating the required modern facilities in the new addition.
"This is an exciting project and it's nice to see that this historic
landmark is finally being put to use," said BZA Chairperson Ruthanne
Miller. Representing the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA)
project at the BZA hearing were Gary Martinez, of Martinez and Johnson
Architecture, and Norman Glasgow, with the law firm of Holland &
Knight, who responded to technical questions regarding the zoning
application.
The Zoning Board noted that the Advisory Neighborhood Commission
(ANC), an important community-based organization whose members are
appointed by the Government of the District of Columbia, as well as
the District's Office of Planning, had expressed their support for the
museum's proposed building addition. The DC ANC commissioners, as an
expression of their strong endorsement of the museum project,
submitted a letter requesting that the BZA "give great weight to our
advice."
"The Zoning Board's favorable action brings the museum another big
step closer to reality," said Van Krikorian, AGMA Trustee and Building
and Operations Committee Chairman. "We are delighted by this latest
development. The schematics for the exhibit designs are now complete.
We were fortunate to have Yerevan's Genocide Museum Director Hayk
Demoyan with us recently in Washington to consult on the project, and
we want to sincerely thank everyone who has helped to get the museum
this far so fast."
The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial will be located at 14th and
G Streets, NW, in Washington, DC and is scheduled to open in 2010. The
five-story historic National Bank of Washington building is slated for
complete restoration and renovation to provide some 18,000 square feet
of exhibit space highlighting the historic identity of the Armenian
people, their culture, and their perseverance in the face of
adversity.
The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is an outgrowth of the
Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Institute
(ANI), catalyzed by the initial pledge of Anoush Mathevosian toward
building such a museum in Washington, DC.
#####
NR#2008-05