Arts commission says no to chopper pads on Washington Mall

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Fine Arts Commission has rejected a National Park Service proposal to pave a section of the National Mall on the grounds of the Washington Monument for helicopter pads.

The park service wanted the new helicopter pads to replace space it will lose to construction of the World War II Memorial.

However, the agency's proposal didn't even get discussed at the commission's monthly meeting on Thursday. By the time the park service's representative had described the twin 24-by-24 foot pads, the commission's chairman, J. Carter Brown had shot down the idea.

He used a photograph of the monument grounds with the helicopter pads drawn in to illustrate his objection.

"As far as I am concerned, this picture shows why we don't want to introduce paving onto the Washington Monument grounds," Brown said.

The Washington Post reported that a unanimous vote by the six commissioners against the proposal ended the matter.

The park service can now take its proposal to the National Capital Planning Commission which must approve any plans for federal grounds in the Washington area. Even if that commission gives its OK to the helicopter pads, the park service would still have to ask the Fine Arts Commission to reconsider its denial.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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