The 315,000-square-foot museum is planned to be constructed on a five-acre plot on the Washington Monument Grounds. To be the last museum built on the Mall, it will be dedicated to the collection of black historical and cultural materials.
The revised plans call for the reduction of the size of skylights to bring the lights to scale with the surrounding landscape, continuation of a study on the night lighting until it is more refined and reflects the desired “subdued palette” that doesn’t cause distraction from the Mall and increase of green space near the building. The new plan also calls for more work on the porch which is still extends 32 feet onto the mall.
The plans for the museum are expected to be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission in late 2011. Construction is slated to begin in 2012 with completion scheduled for 2015. Congress, which has passed legislation for creation of the museum in 2003, has appropriated $245 million for construction.
