DC's Proposed Triumphal Arch Faces Public Scrutiny — Deadline June 15
The Society of Architectural Historians urges DC residents to submit public comments on a proposed Triumphal Arch in Washington by June 15. Here's what's at stake.
In brief
A proposed Triumphal Arch for Washington, DC has triggered an urgent preservation alert from the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), which is urging architects, historians, and the public to submit formal comments before a June 15 deadline. The structure would mark a significant — and controversial — addition to the capital's monumental landscape, prompting debate over design, design precedent, and federal planning authority over one of the most scrutinized streetscapes in the world.
⚡ KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Society of Architectural Historians has issued an urgent call for public comments on a proposed Triumphal Arch in Washington, DC — deadline is June 15.
The project raises concerns about compatibility with DC's L'Enfant Plan, the McMillan Plan, and the federally protected monumental core.
Review authority over major commemorative structures in DC typically falls under the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA).
Preservation advocates warn that approving the arch without rigorous public process could set a dangerous precedent for DC's UNESCO-recognized historic landscape.
The public comment window is narrow — anyone wishing to influence the outcome must act before the June 15 cutoff.
What Is the Proposed Triumphal Arch — and Where Would It Stand?
Details about the proposed arch have circulated within preservation and architecture circles, drawing immediate concern from national organizations. A triumphal arch — a monumental freestanding gateway structure rooted in Roman imperial tradition — would represent a dramatic departure from Washington's existing commemorative vocabulary, which favors obelisks, neoclassical memorials, and open plazas over enclosed gateway forms.
Washington's monumental core, stretching from the U.S. Capitol along the National Mall to the Lincoln Memorial and beyond to Arlington Memorial Bridge, was shaped by Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 plan and refined by the Senate Park Commission's McMillan Plan of 1902. Both frameworks established sightline protections, axial relationships, and design standards that federal agencies have enforced for over a century. Any new structure of monumental scale requires navigating a layered federal approval process — and generating a public record through formal comment periods.
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) both hold statutory review authority over proposed structures in DC's monumental zones. The SAH's alert signals that at least one of these formal processes is now open for public input — and that the preservation community believes citizen engagement is urgently needed.
Why the Society of Architectural Historians Is Sounding the Alarm
Founded in 1940, the Society of Architectural Historians is among the most respected voices in American preservation advocacy. The Chicago-based organization has a long record of intervening in federal planning decisions affecting nationally significant historic resources — from the demolition threats facing mid-century modernist landmarks to design review disputes over new construction near protected historic districts.
SAH's decision to issue an urgent action alert — rather than a standard comment notice — signals the organization views the June 15 deadline as a genuine inflection point. The compressed timeline is characteristic of federal review windows that, if left unfilled by substantive public comment, can advance a project with minimal documented opposition in the administrative record.
"Public comment periods exist precisely so that expert voices and community stakeholders can shape outcomes before decisions become final," preservation advocates have consistently argued in similar federal review contexts. The administrative record built during a comment period can become legally significant if a project later faces court challenges under the National Historic Preservation Act's Section 106 process.
No monument, memorial, or major structure rises in Washington without surviving a multi-agency federal review process — a deliberate architecture of oversight designed to protect one of the world's most recognized urban landscapes. The Commemorative Works Act of 1986, administered jointly by the National Park Service (NPS) and the General Services Administration (GSA), governs how new commemorative works are authorized and sited on federal land in the capital.
Under that statute, sponsors must secure congressional authorization, demonstrate broad national significance, and pass design review by both the NCPC and the CFA before breaking ground. The National Park Service's Commemorative Works program maintains the authoritative framework for this process and accepts public input at designated review stages.
Critics of the proposed arch argue that introducing a triumphal gateway form — historically associated with military conquest and imperial celebration — requires especially rigorous scrutiny given Washington's role as a democratic symbol. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis offer instructive but imperfect parallels; neither sits within a protected monumental core governed by the same density of federal planning law that applies to central Washington.
The National Mall and Memorial Parks, managed by the National Park Service, already faces significant pressure from competing memorial proposals. The NPS has consistently flagged concerns about "over-memorialization" of the Mall — a documented policy tension that a triumphal arch proposal would almost certainly intensify.
Why This Matters in Washington
Washington's built environment is not merely aesthetic — it is constitutional, political, and symbolic in ways that few other cities can claim. The sightline from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the dome of the U.S. Capitol is deliberately unobstructed. The height limit enforced under the Height of Buildings Act of 1910 keeps Washington's skyline low and its monuments dominant. These are not accidents of planning — they are policy choices made and remade over generations, and they remain fiercely defended by institutions ranging from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions across all eight wards.
A triumphal arch, if approved without rigorous public scrutiny, would join a short list of structures that permanently altered Washington's monumental grammar. That's why the SAH's call carries weight well beyond the preservation community. Architects, urban planners, historians, Hill staffers, and ordinary DC residents who walk the Mall and ride the Metro to Smithsonian or Federal Triangle stations all have standing — and reason — to engage.
Track the broader landscape of DC influence and planning decisions on our DC Power Index 2025.
How to Submit Your Comments Before June 15
The SAH has made clear that the comment period is time-sensitive. Submitting formal comments — whether as an individual, a professional organization, or a neighborhood group — creates an official record that federal agencies must acknowledge. Substantive, specific comments carry more weight than form letters; reviewers at the NCPC and CFA respond to technical arguments about sightlines, historic character, design precedent, and consistency with existing planning frameworks.
To submit comments, visit the Society of Architectural Historians website for direct guidance and links to the relevant federal docket. The SAH alert includes specific submission instructions tied to the active federal review process. Comments can also be directed to the relevant agency docket — either the NCPC, CFA, or NPS — depending on which review stage is currently open.
The bottom line for DC residents and preservation advocates: June 15 is a hard deadline. The window to shape the public record — and potentially the fate of this proposal — closes that day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed Triumphal Arch in Washington, DC?
A proposed monumental gateway structure — modeled on the tradition of triumphal arches — has been put forward for a site in Washington, DC. The proposal is currently under federal review, and the Society of Architectural Historians has issued an urgent call for public comments before a June 15 deadline.
Who reviews major new structures proposed for Washington, DC?
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) hold primary design review authority over major structures in DC's monumental and federal zones. The National Park Service and General Services Administration also play roles under the Commemorative Works Act of 1986.
Why is the June 15 deadline significant?
June 15 is the closing date for the public comment period on the proposed arch. Comments submitted before this deadline become part of the official federal administrative record, which agencies must consider before advancing or approving the project. Missing the deadline means losing the opportunity to formally influence the outcome.
How do I submit comments on the proposed DC Triumphal Arch?
Visit the Society of Architectural Historians website at sah.org for specific submission instructions and links to the relevant federal docket. Comments should be substantive and address specific planning, design, or historic preservation concerns to carry the most weight with reviewers.
Has Washington, DC ever had a triumphal arch before?
Washington has no permanent triumphal arch in its monumental core. The city's commemorative tradition favors obelisks, neoclassical temples, and open plazas — a vocabulary established by L'Enfant's 1791 plan and the McMillan Plan of 1902. A triumphal arch would be a significant departure from that established design language.
What is the Society of Architectural Historians?
Founded in 1940, the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of the built environment. It regularly engages in federal planning and preservation processes affecting nationally significant historic resources across the United States.
What to Watch Next: The June 15 comment deadline is only the opening move. If the proposal advances past initial federal review, it will face design hearings before both the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission — each a public forum where opposition and support will be formally recorded. Watch for responses from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, DC's State Historic Preservation Office, and members of the congressional delegations who sit on committees with oversight of the National Mall. Washington's monumental landscape has survived more than two centuries of competing visions. Whether it accommodates a triumphal arch may depend on what gets submitted before midnight on June 15.
Reporting drawn from: Society of Architectural Historians (SAH). Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
