I want to see DC again before any work is begun and the view is blocked forever, first by construction cranes and vehicles, then by the WWII memorial.

It appears that the site is definate - so does anyone know how long it will be to see the Mall the way it is today?

The official site of the memorial wwiimemorial.com states that the constructiona has been delayed indefinitly due to lawsuit.

Congress moved May 21 to end the delay - and it now looks like construction will start in about two months. You amy wish to take a look at the Washington Post for May 22, 01, an article in the A section. This is certainly a shame for the Mall ... the design takes 7.5 acres in the very center, and has many columns that will interfere with sightlines to the other monuments. A plan to build a model just to get a realistic idea of this effect was turned down. A more sedate monumment could have been approved, but there were just too many politicians lining up on this one, including Bill and W. The trend is to turn the Mall and surrounding area into a multiple tribute to wars the US has fought in. Those of us who live here had hoped the WWII site would have been off to one side, not in the very middle at 17th Street. I understand a number of adult trees will have to be sacrificed to carve out enough area for this very large and elaborate $140 M edifice. Ciao.

Please access Yahoo News and take a look at the WWII memorial design. The article says a bill to start construction in on its way to W. ... sorry, but this looks like a done deal. Fast track for completion in 2004, probably in time for Memorial Day would be my guess. That's the usual timing in DC for dedication of these types of things. Hope everyone likes the result. Ciao.

There was supposed to be another review next month but the recent legislation stops that. With W's signature expect contruction by fall. Hey I'm not against any wwii memorial but more than 7 acres and $170 million. That's alot of money.

I believe it may all be private money raised by former Senator Dole and others, both Demo and Repo. If one looks at other large memorials, such as FDR, a way was found to construct them in sites adjoining the Mall or other key areas, such as the Tidal Basin. I am afraid we are on a memorial binge in DC right now, even to the point of building one for Reagan. Even the Air Force is demanding their own monumment at the Arlington Cemetery. Ciao.

Can't we just forget about one for Reagan? He's not in a league with Washington or Lincoln. eeeek!

Suzie-Do you really have to interject your personal criticism of one of our Presidents into the discussion?? Slow day at work or what? People like you need to get a life.

So...
Thanks for the info.. but I'm kinda in 3rd grade reading mode today.. bear with me, please..

Not sure if I can determine the construction timeframe.... I have only 2 months before the Washington as I know it will be changed?

Well, as a footnote on Ron, when they renamed National Airport after him, they did not rename the airport Metro station. Now, Bob Barr and a few others in the House are threatening to withhold money from the DC airport authority and Metro if they do not spend the $400K plus to change the station name. Under Federal law, the locality is authorized to select the name, but that matters not to Bob and the others. These are the same folks who decided DC's fate day in and day out. I love this area! Fun! Ciao

According to the Post today, now that Congress has eliminated the possibility of furhter hearings and other delays, construction is slated to begin in 2 (two) months, and be completed sometime in 2004. It was supposed to have started last Veterans Day ... so, it looks like a done deal. Hope it's not as bad as folks think. Ciao.

Thanks. We will plan a short weekend trip soon just to take pictures and see the mall as it is today. I appreciate your quick responses.

Now, I'll comment on the memorial. When we visited Gettysburg / Antietam I recall reading or hearing that many of the monuments were built many years after the Civil War, when the country realized the old vets had not been recognized.

I also remember how many people didn't like the Vietnam Vet Memorial when it was still a drawing. Now it has high praise. I am hoping the final version will make us all proud - but I am not going to wait just in case it doesn't

Wow Mr./Ms. X you're certainly hostile today. I didn't say one personal thing about Reagan except that he wasn't in the same league as Washington or Lincoln. From that you can't say that you know anything about my opinion of Mr. Reagan. I didn't say yulk I said eeek.