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District Of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board Approves Arm

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  • District Of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board Approves Arm

    DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD APPROVES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA PROPOSAL

    DeFacto Agency
    March 31 2008
    Armenia

    YEREVAN, 31.03.08. DE FACTO. In a public hearing convened on March
    27, the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), which is charged
    with responsibility for the protection, enhancement and perpetuation
    of properties of historical, cultural and aesthetic merit in the
    District of Columbia, in a unanimous vote gave concept approval for
    the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA).

    The plans call for restoring the exterior of the historical bank
    building, modifying the interior to accommodate the museum exhibits,
    and building a new glass structure next to the historic bank, which
    will be surfaced with native Armenian stone to complement the bank
    building.

    HPRB Chairman Tersh Boasberg complimented AGMA and its team for their
    care in developing a project, "that's what historic preservation is
    all about," adding that AGMA's plans for the structure to deal with
    the Armenian Genocide were "exciting."

    Van Krikorian, chairman of the museum building and operations
    committee, opened by thanking HPRB members for the interest they
    had taken in the project. He stated that AGMA was excited about
    the project, and was moving forward with special "sensitivity to the
    history of the building," and stressed that AGMA wanted to preserve the
    historical building in which it would be housed, especially considering
    our experience from the Genocide and Armenians' own sensitivity to
    preserving important historical structures. He thanked the HPRB and
    those who had contributed for their involvement and assistance.

    Upon hearing principal architect Gary Martinez present in detail
    the proposed museum and the restoration plans for the former bank
    building located two blocks from the White House, HPRB also commended
    AGMA for the team assembled to create what it described as a "highly
    imaginative project." HPRB described the museum plans as "dramatic"
    use of the historically-designated building. Details of some sensitive
    interior issues remain to be worked out as the development progresses,
    and AGMA indicated its flexibility in working with the HPRB in that
    process. HPRB Commission members and staff had several questions and
    constructive comments.

    Earlier in the week, the AGMA planning team made presentations to
    the DC Preservation League and the Advisory Neighborhood Committee's
    Community Development Committee (ANC-CDC). The DC Preservation League,
    a community-based organization, strongly endorsed the project and
    its representative Patrick Burkhardt called the proposal to locate
    a museum in the historic building a "textbook marriage". The ANC-CDC
    also endorsed the project.

    Following the unanimous vote, Krikorian again thanked the HPRB, the
    AGMA staff, architects, exhibit planners, and project managers, adding
    "this is a great day for all of us committed to opening a first class
    Armenian Genocide Museum in Washington." HPRB Chairman Boasberg closed
    the hearing by saying that the Armenian Genocide Museum project would
    "add to the kind of vitality that historic preservation can provide"
    in the heart of downtown Washington, with a benefit for the District
    of Columbia as well as national and international audiences.

    The former National Bank of Washington has interior and exterior
    designations on the National Register of Historic Places. Only a
    dozen privately-owned structures in the capital city have such a
    high level of historic designation. The bank building is slated for
    complete restoration and renovation, as well as application as the
    exhibit space for AGMA. HPRB concept approval and enlistment of local
    community support registered two certified milestones in opening the
    museum on schedule.
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