AZG Armenian Daily #065, 05/04/2008

Armenian Genocide

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

Planners complimented on imaginative use of historic
building

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 have taken in the project. He
stated that AGMA is excited about the project, and is
moving forward with special "sensitivity to the
history of the building," and stressed that AGMA
wanted to preserve the historical building in which it
will 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 will "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.

HPRB commissioners are appointed by the mayor of the
District of Columbia. The presentation they heard was
prepared by the firm of Martinez & Johnson
Architecture, whose talents and experience in
rehabilitating especially ornate historic buildings
was noted. The architectural team was supported by
representatives from Gallagher & Associates contracted
by AGMA as its exhibit design firm, the Armenian
National Institute serving as the research arm of the
museum project, and by the project management firm of
Regan Associates.

Martinez & Johnson Architecture and Gallagher &
Associates have been working on the development of the
museum project since mid-2007. Regan Associates joined
the planning team in February of this year. Among
several museum and other projects led by the firm,
most recently Regan Associates completed the
Orientation Center, Education Center, and Museum at
Mount Vernon Estates, the home of President George
Washington.

Armenian Genocide Museum of America