After years of legislative battles, criticisms, and design edits, the Eisenhower family will now support Frank Gehry’s design of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, announced this change on Monday.
In a letter to Secretary James A. Baker, III, Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of the late former president, wrote, "While some of us may have had other preferences in the past, all of us support your proposal. We recognize that your recommendation offers a compromise, one which all Americans who loved the general and the president can support."
Architect Magazine reported that because of the support, the memorial is on track to being dedicated on time for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, on June 6, 2019. The National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts are likely to call for review of the modified designs.
Before construction starts, all funding must be in place. Currently, the Eisenhower Memorial Commission has enough money to begin site work as a first phase of construction, as reported by Architect Magazine.