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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.
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.