DAVID T. STOWELL RICHARD S. ZEILENGA

JAMES D. VAUGHN ADAM K. TREIGER

Ms. Sharon Gin 200 North Spring Street Room 395Los Angeles, CA 90012

RE: 10697 West Somma Way, Bel AirBoard File Number: 140029 Project Title: ENV-2014-197-MND

Dear Ms. Gin:

We represent the Bel Air Homeowners Alliance ("the Alliance"). The Alliance is the appellant in an appeal scheduled for hearing before the PLUM committee on September 23,2014, City Council File No. CF 14-1211. Please find enclosed the following items to supplement the Alliance's appeal:

1. A supplemental expert opinion letter from Scott Franklin, an expert in emergency fire evacuation impacts, confirming that his expert opinion, dated August 16, 2014, has not changed as a result of the additional mitigation measures imposed by the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners, items 2(a) through (d), in its September 2,2014 Determination Letter;

2. Two supplemental expert opinion letters from Air Quality Dynamics, an expert in air quality analysis, confirming that its expert opinion has not changed as a result of the additional mitigation measures imposed by the Board in its Determination Letter, items 2(a) through (d);

3. A supplemental expert opinion letter from Leighton & Associates, explaining the feasibility and delays associated with the Board's new condition prohibiting more than one hauling truck being in the Bel Air Community at any one time, specifically the measure's lack of feasibility in light of other restrictions imposed upon the haul route permit;

4. A photo in the September 3,2014 issue of the Wall Street Journal, concerning a new 40,000 square foot State Department Museum and Diplomacy Center, and related background information. The proposed Somma Way “Single Family Residence” is also 40,000 square feet in size, i.e. the size of the museum; and

5. Article in the Los Angeles Times dated August 30, 2014, entitled “Huge Home Projects Concern Bel-Air Residents.”

STOWELL, ZEILENGA, RUTH, VAUGHN & TREIGER LLP

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

4590 E. THOUSAND OAKS BLVD. • SUITE 100 WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362

TEL: (805) 446-1496 • FAX: (805) 446-1490 www.szrlaw.com

DAVID C. RUTH RETIRED

ERIC H. HALVORSON OF COUNSEL

Ms. Sharon Gin September 22, 2014 Page Two

I certify that this supplemental information is also true and complete.

Please provide these supplemental items to the PLUM committee members.

Scott E. Franklin International Consultant

Urban Wildland Fire Management 25059 Highspring Ave.

Santa Clarita, CA 91321 (661) 254-2376

Cell (805) 312-4201 Email: Scotriranklinfire@att.net Web page: www.fireconsult. net

September 18,2014

Mr. Richard S. Zeilenga4950 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.Westlake Village, CA 91362

RE: 10697 Somma Way, Community of Bel-Air

Mr. Zeilenga:

1. I have reviewed the Los Angeles City Board of Building and Safety Commission’s determination letter and additional conditions dated September 2, 2014, including new conditions set forth in item 2 (a) through 2 (d).

2. The new mitigation measures set forth in the Board’s determination letter, item 2(a) through 2(d), do not alter my expert opinion as set forth in my letter dated August 16,2014, specifically that the existing condition is currently hazardous and unsafe, given the narrow road widths, and large truck traffic travelling on Stone Canyon Road. Therefore, adding additional large truck traffic to the narrow Bel-air roads, including additional residents and staff workers that will reside in or work at these very large commercial sized building, significantly exacerbates an already existing safety hazard. (In that regard I have attached an updated version of my August 16,2014 opinion letter, dated September 18,2014, to reflect a few clarifying revisions to the cumulative impacts section of my letter.)

3. The Board of Building and Safety Commissioners apparently overlooked the requirements of the Hillside Fire Code in its September 2,2014 Determination Letter, and it appears that City Staff may not have conducted any genuine consultation with the City Fire Department prior to preparing the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for approval by the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners. Of particular note, the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners September 2,2014 Determination Letter makes no comment regarding the fact that the Somma Way project is located within a designated High Hazard Fire Severity Zone, even though the MND and Initial Study admits that critical fact. See MND p. 26, section VUI (h) and p. 29, section XIV (a). Rather the Board, and City Staff, relied upon the following boiler plate text in the

Mitigated Negative Declaration: “VIII-70 Emergency Evacuation Plan: Environmental impacts may result from project implementation due to possible interference with an emergency response plan. However, these potential impacts will be mitigated to a less than significant level by the following measure: Prior to the issuance of a building permit the applicant shall develop an emergency response plan in consultation with the Fire Department. The emergency response plan shall include but not be limited to the following: mapping of emergency exits, evacuation routes for vehicles and pedestrians, location of nearest hospitals, and fire departments.”This mitigation measure does not address impacts prior to issuance of a building permit, caused by the City’s proposed issuance of a haul route permit for the many thousands of large haul trucks that will be necessary to export 29,474 cubic yards of dirt from the Somma Way project hillside. This mitigation measure also does not address the existing hazardous conditions, including very narrow road widths on Somma Way and Stone Canyon Road that may be obstructed during a fire emergency by the existing construction related truck traffic, and the additional cumulative construction related truck traffic, added by the Somma Way Project. Rather, the City’s Mitigated Negative Declaration merely defers any substantive formulation of an effective mitigation plan to the future, stating: “The project will require an emergency response plan, in consultation with the Fire Department.” See MND, p. 26, section VII (h), and “The Project will require a construction vehicle and materials staging plan to ensure emergency access through Somma Way (and the hillside streets included in the haul route) are not significantly impacted during construction.” See MND, p. 26, section VII (g).Furthermore, Mitigation Measure XVI-60 (Inadequate Emergency Access (Hillside Streets—Construction Activities) also does not mitigate, to a less than significant level, the significant public safety hazard impacts set forth in my attached opinion letter. That mitigation measure merely prohibits on street parking during Red Flag Days in compliance with the “Los Angeles Fire Department Red Flag No Parking” program, and prohibits storing construction and demolition materials within a public right of way.First, not all fire emergencies will be preceded by an official Red Flag warning declaration, and certainly not in time to remove all parked vehicles that may further narrow access through Stone Canyon Road and Somma Way.Second, given the veiy narrow road widths on Somma Way, including that part of the proposed haul route using the private driveway leading past three homes to the project site, and given the very road narrow widths on some sections of Stone Canyon Road leading to the Somma Way Project site, the Red Flag No Parking restrictions and restrictions regarding no storing of construction materials in a “public right of way,” will not eliminate the serious obstacles posed for emergency ingress and egress in a wild land fire emergency and for any other health emergency involving paramedic access, where a delay of even a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death for residents in the Bel Air community.

Furthermore, there is no analysis in the MND demonstrating that removing parked cars or not allowing storing of construction related materials will create sufficient road width, along the entire length of the haul route, to ensure emergency vehicle access in an emergency, including a wild land fire emergency, especially for that part of Somma Way that is a very steep narrow private road, providing access to four houses, including the Project site.Finally, “response times” are a critical part of any emergency fire evacuation plan and any substantive analysis of public safety impacts. Here the City’s MND/Initial Study acknowledges that the Project site’s distance from the nearest fire stations “exceeds the maximum response distance (City of Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Summary, 2006) (See MND, 29, section XIV (a), but omits any information regarding the likely response times to the Somma Way Project site, and surrounding properties on Somma Way, in a fire emergency. Given my knowledge of the Bel Air Community’s narrow roads, and the distances to the nearest fire stations, and my professional expertise, it is my opinion that the response times will be far too long to provide for effective emergency fire department response to the Project site, and the surrounding Somma Way properties, in a fire or health emergency.

AIR QUALITY DYNAMICS_____________________________________________ _SPECIALIZING IN AIR QUALITY ANALYSIS

September 21, 2014

Stowell, Zeilenga, Ruth,Vaughn & Treiger LLP 4590 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard Westlake Village, California 91362 Attn: Richard S. Zeilenga, Esq.

Re: Revised Haul Route Conditions: Board of Building and Safety Commissioners - Board File: 140029

Mr. Zeilenga:

In response to your request to review the revised haul route conditions imposed by the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners (Commission) for the proposed project located at 10697 and 10699 Somma Way and provide comment regarding its potential to mitigate the air quality impacts identified in the localized significance threshold (LST) analysis, the following is provided.1

Upon review, one condition of relevance was imposed by the Commission in its September 2, 2014 determination letter that expressly restricts haul vehicle access to the project site whereby “(n)o crossing of two haul vehicles shall be allowed in Bel-Air. (Once one hauling vehicle leaves Bel-Air, the next hauling vehicle may enter.)”

As noted in the LST analysis “(i)nformation provided by project applicant representatives as well as independent contractors/developers were used to define construction timelines, on/off-road equipment inventories and related operational activity.” As such, a 130 day haul schedule associated with the removal of 49,000 cubic yards of soil (including soil export for 270 soldier piles) was assumed resulting in the export of 38 loads per day. This activity profile represents a haul truck cycle time of approximately 9.5 minutes. On-site idling was assumed to occur for 5 minutes per vehicle resulting in a cumulative idle time of approximately 3 hours per day.

Based upon the Commission’s condition and utilizing representative route speeds along Stone Canyon and Somma Way, a revised cycle time of 15 minutes is now anticipated to occur limiting the export of soil to 24 loads per day. This assumes a 10 minute round trip to traverse Stone Canyon and Somma Way and a 5 minute haul truck load timeline. This operational scenario produces an on-site idle time of 2 hours per day.

The following table presents the cumulative on-site emissions and incremental reductions associated with the original and revised haul truck idle timelines.

Air Quality Dynamics, August 2014. 10697 and 10699 Somma Way (ENV-2014-MND) Localized Significance Threshold Analysis

iipcrfiiioiuil Scenario

Original Haul Truck

PM10(Lbs/Day)

7.950

PM2.5(Lbs/Day)

3.480

NOx(Lbs/Day)

55.730

CO(Lbs/Day)

30.230

Conditional Haul Truck 7.948 3.478 55.562 30.132

Difference <0.0020> <0.0019> <0.1680> <0.0980>

As noted above, associated emission reductions occur but are negligible for all pollutants when compared to the original mass pollutant emission rate utilized in the LST analysis. As a result, revision to the conclusion reported in the LST analysis that “pollutant concentrations of PMi0, PM2 5 and NO2 will exceed their respective significance thresholds at residential receptors” is not warranted. The identified air pollutant impacts remain significant.

I can be reached at (818) 703-3294 should you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,

Bill Piazza

AIR QUALITY DYNAMICS______________________________________________ _SPECIALIZING IN AIR QUALITY ANALYSIS

September 21, 2014

Stowell, Zeilenga, Ruth,Vaughn & Treiger LLP 4590 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard Westlake Village, California 91362 Attn: Richard S. Zeilenga, Esq.

Re: Supplemental Air Quality Review: Mitigated Negative Declaration (ENV-2014-962-MND) for 10697 and 10699 Somma Way

Mr. Zeilenga:

In response to your request to assess the adequacy of the air quality element addressing cumulative impacts as well as the proposed project’s potential to generate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the following is provided.

In your recent letter to the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners (Commission), you cited California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines documenting that consideration must be given to project related emissions, including past, current and future projects located within the project area.1 This is most relevant in light of the number of construction projects approved and/or pending within the Bel Air community. When cumulatively considered, these projects may have a significant local effect on air quality from on-site construction activity and the on-road import/export of soil and related materials.

Based upon a review of available documentation provided in the Initial Study, the City of Los Angeles (City) determined that cumulative impacts were less than significant simply because the project is a “new single family home.” This determination is based solely on the project being identified as a single family home despite its actual 40,000 square foot size, and the export of 49,000 cubic yards of soil. The City’s finding provides neither discussion nor quantification of emissions to document the proposed project’s “less than significant” impact on local air quality when cumulatively considered.

Your letter to the Commission also notes the token observance the City pays to the evaluation of GHG emissions. Specifically, the City did not perform any formal analysis to quantify the relative difference in emissions of a 3,799 square foot residence and the proposed construction and operation of a structure totaling 40,000 square feet. The City, therefore, presents no evidence upon which to make the finding of a “less than significant impact.”

It is relevant to note that the City additionally determined that the project “will not conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Once again, the City’s finding of “no impact” is provided without documentation or discussion to support this determination.

Letter to the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners from Richard S Zielenga, August 25,2014

Richard S. Zeilenga -2- September 21,2014

Air Quality Dynamics is aware of the City’s action plan which presents a framework for confronting global climate change by engaging residents to create a cleaner, greener, sustainable city and promote the growth of a green economy.2 The City, however, does not show how the proposed project meets the goals and objectives of this action plan, or if it relies on another plan, policy or regulation.

Regardless of plan, policy or regulation, the City should be cognizant of the City’s Planning Commission guiding principal to “neutralize mansionization.” The Planning Commission has set the tone for civic discussions about planning issues and the quality of life for communities and neighborhoods stating “(n)eighborhoods zoned for single family deserve our protection. The most pervasive threat they face is the replacement of existing homes with residences whose bulk and mass is significantly larger than the street’s current character, sacrificing greenery, breathing room, light, and air.”3 To this end, consideration is clearly warranted to show that the proposed project is consistent in promoting the City’s fight to limit global warming.

I can be reached at (818) 703-3294 should you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,

Bill Piazza

2

3Green LA - An Action Plan to Lead the Nation In Fighting Global Warming, May 2007.

Los Angeles City Planning Commission, 2007. Do Real Planning.

Leighton and Associates, Inc.GEOTECHNICAL | GEOENV IR0NMENTAL | MATERIALS TESTING

PROJECT MEMORANDUM

To: Bel Aire Homeowners Alliance Date: September 22,20144590 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 100Westlake village, California 91362 Project No. 10792.001

Attention: Mr. Rick S. Zeilenga

From: Joe A. Roe, C.E.G. 2456

Subject: Volume Estimates and Hauling Period, Lot L, ARB 254, Bel Aire Tract 10697 and10699 Somma Way, Los Angeles, California.

Based on your request, Leighton and Associates Inc., (Leighton) is submitting this Project Memorandum to provide a generalized summary of timing of earthwork volume haul estimates

with respect to the conditional approval of hauling operations noted in the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS, 2014c), Board File No. 140029, dated September 2, 2014 which was provided to Leighton by you.

In the LADBS letter, Comment No. 2a, the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners

approved the application to the subject site with conditional restrictions limiting the hauling

operation to the hours of 0900 (9:00 A.M.) to 1500 (3:00 P.M.), Monday through Friday only and no holidays. Additionally, LADBS Comment No. 2d, Item C.12, indicates “no crossing of two

hauling vehicles shall be allowed in Bel-Aire at any one time". Leighton understands from

correspondence with you with respect to Page 4, Board File No. 140029, Specific Conditions, Item C2, hauling of the earth material shall be completed within the maximum time limit of 180

hauling days.

In our memorandum (Leighton, 2014a), assuming 270 solider piles excavated to a depth of 100

feet at 5-feet in diameter, we provided the estimated remedial earthwork volume of approximately 19,634 cubic yds3 of soil/bedrock to be removed from soldier pile excavations. Based on the proposed total raw cut and fill volume provided in the geotechnical report (GeoSystems, 2013) was estimated at 29,400 cubic yds3 for a total combined volume of approximately 49,034 cubic yds3. In consideration of the combined earthwork volume estimate,

___>^__ Page 1of2 __17781 Cowan, Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 250-1421 • FAX (949) 250-1114

10792.001 September 22, 2014

time and vehicle constraints (LADBS, 2014c), in conjunction with a 10-yard haul truck capacity, the number of trips equates to 4,904 inbound and 4,903 outbound (9,807 total trips) required to remove excavated soil/bedrock to an appropriate disposal facility. While the distance to the

disposal facility is unknown, and, given the narrow approach to the site combined with LADBS restrictions, conservatively assuming a maximum of 12 trucks per day over the 180-day hauling

period, the amount of material exported at the completion of the 180-day hauling period equates to 21,600 cubic yds3falling short by approximately 27,434 cubic yds3.

Assuming the number of haul trucks per day was doubled, i.e. 24 trucks per day over the 180- day hauling period, the amount of material exported upon completion of the haul period equates to 43,200 cubic yds3 falling short by approximately 5,834 cubic yds3 of the total estimated 49,034

cubic yds3. Given the above assumptions it is not possible for the estimated volume of earthwork material to be hauled offsite to an appropriate disposal facility in the maximum permitted time period of 180 days.

References: GeoSystems Inc., 2013, Soils and Geologic Investigation for Proposed LandslideStabilization and Single Family Residence, Retaining Wall and Swimming Pool, Lot L, ARB 254, Bel Aire Tract 10697 and 10699 Soma Way, Los Angeles, California, dated October 13, 2013

______ , 2014, Response to the City of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety, Geology andSoils Report Correction Letter, Lot L (Arb 98 and 254), Bel Aire Tract, 10697 and 10699 Somma Way, Los Angeles, California. Dated February 19, 2014

City of Los Angeles, Notice of Public Hearing to Property Owners Within a 300-foot radius of Grading Site, Project Address 10697 West Somma Way, undated

_____ , 2014a, Geology and Soils report Approval Letter Log No. 82317-01 Soils and Geology File-2 LAN,Department of Building and Safety, dated March 20, 2014

_____ , 2014b, Proposed Mitigative Negative Declaration ENV-2014-197-MND, 10697 Somma Way, BelAire, California, received by LADBS on June 19, 2014

_____ , 2014c, City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Board File No. 140029, C.D.: 5,10697 West Somma Way Tract: Bel-Aire; Lot: PT LT L (arb 98) and PT LT L (arb 254), date September 2, 2014

Leighton and Associates Inc., 2014a, Project Memorandum Geotechnical Volume Estimates, Conceptual Solider Pile Foundations, Lot L ARB 254, Bel-Aire Tract 10697 and 10699 Somma Way, Los Angeles, California, date August 2, 2014

_____ , 2014b, Geotechnical Peer Review Lot L, ARB 254 Bel-Aire Tract, 10697 and 10699 Somma Way,Los Angeles, California, date August 22, 2014

Page 2of217781 Cowan, Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 250-1421 • FAX (949) 250-1114

OP STAJUTED

Wall Street Journal 9/3/14

Huge home projects concern Bel-Air residentsBy Martha Groves lars and subterranean bowling alleys, al­and Joseph Serna terlngslopes andrldgellnes.

Convoys of dirt haulers and cement mixers compete with residents for spaceWhen Joseph Horacek in looks at the

“Starship Enterprise” — as he calls the mansion going up above his low-slung, Balinese-inspired contemporary in Bel- Air — visual pollution isn’t his primary concern.

The veteran entertainment attorney is afraid the whole thing will come sliding down the hill and crush his household.

With post-recession construction booming on the Westside, architects are building up and under: creating wine cel-

Bel-Air and Trousdale Estates. Some of the vehicles have sheared tree branches, crumpled utility boxes and toppled stop signs. Atop those more mundane prob­lems, homeowners worry that there is a real risk their hillsides are being destabi­lized.

“No one is protecting our community," said Fred Rosen, former chief executive of Ticketmaster and [See Bel-Air, A16][See Bel-Air, A16]

on the narrow roads winding through

Coming Soon at the State Department Page 1 of 2

sssspU.S. DI; PARTM I': NT oh STAIT:0 l,P I 0 M A C Y IN A C,T-'I 0 N

Coming Soon at the State Department

FY 2004 Performance and Accountability HighlightsBUREAU OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENTNovember 2004Report

Renovation of the War Department Wing of the Main State Building and the Restoration of the George C. Marshall Office

The New War Building was erected under provisions of an act of Congress from 1939-1941 for the War Department The Department of State moved into the New War Building, renamed New State Building, in 1947, when General George C. Marshall entered as Secretary of State. In the new building, the Secretary's office was a large two-story room, with a private elevator on the fifth floor overlooking the main entrance on 21st street The entire New State section of the building was renamed the George C. Marshall Wing in 2001.

The Marshall Wing is currently being completely renovated to reverse the deteriorating condition of the building by replacing the antiquated building systems, upgrading the building to comply with current building standards and integrating state of the art building technology improvements to last well into the 21 st century Office space is being Improved to provide a better quality of work life, while the significant original spaces and materials are retained and rehabilitated to preserve the historic qualities of the buiiding. Restoration of the original two-story office occupied by Secretary Marshall and construction of a new Conference Center, Auditorium and Computer Center highlight the renovation and rehabilitation project.

National Museum of American Diplomacy

The Department has also dedicated space in the renovated wing for a museum of American diplomacy, a place for learning and inspiration, dedicated to exploring the history, practice, and challenges of American diplomacy. It will engage visitors in learning how American diplomacy builds bridges among nations and people, in exploring the vital role it has played in the shaping of our nation, and understanding its importance to every person every day. The Museum will bring to life the dramatic and moving stories of the people who have dedicated their lives to American diplomacy.

Supported try Secretary Powell and an the living former Secretaries, the Department of State Visitor Center and National

Museum of American Diplomacy will invite visitors to explore the history, practices, and challenges of American diplomacy.

It will convey the message that diplomacy, which seems so abstract and remote to many, affects every person every day

< Previous Page Next Page >

http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/perfipt/2004hlts/html/39860.htm 9/17/2014

Official Groundbreaking Ceremony for the U.S. Diplomacy Center (USDC) Page 1 of 1

U.S. DT PARTMI NT OI S . A i iD I P I- 0 M A C V I M ACTIO N

Official Groundbreaking Ceremony for the U.S. Diplomacy

Center (USDC)

Notice to the Press Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 2, 2014

Secretary of State John Kerry will deliver remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the United States Diplomacy Center (USDC) at 12:00 noon on Wednesday. September 3, in the Harry S Truman Building's George Marshall Conference Center.

Former Secretaries of State Henry A. Kissinger, James A. Baker III, Madeleine K. Albright, Colin L. Powell, and Hillary Rodham Clinton will join him in making brief remarks. A symbolic groundbreaking for the new USDC Pavilion will follow the speaking portion of the program and will take place at the construction site.

The USDC (http://diplomacy.stat6.gov), a state-of-the-art museum and education center, will dedicate 40,000 square feet to bringing the story of Amertcan diplomacy to life.

The Center will invite visitors to explore the impact of diplomacy through interactive exhibits, compelling artifacts, hands-on education programs, diplomatic simulations, and the expertise of foreign affairs specialists. Education will be at the core of the Center's work, drawing on the experiences of our diplomats through case studies and as the basis for interactive simulations.

The remarks are open to the press.

Pro-set time for video cameras: 11:00 a.m. from the 21s* Street Entrance.Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 11:30a.m. fromthe 21st Street Entrance.

The remarks will be streamed live on www.5tate.gov. Follow (gStateDept, ©StateDeptLIve, ©JohnKerry, ©Dipl omacyC enter for tweets from the event using the hashtag #USDC. For further information on the U.S. Diplomacy Center, please dick here.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) A U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport).

For further information from the Department of State, please contact the Office of Press Relations at (202) 647-2492

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/231230.htm Q/17/9014

Department of State and GSA Announce Contract for Construction of U.S. Diplomacy Ce... Page 1 of 1

U.S. Dl PARFMI' N I OI STATI i

D I P I 0 M A C V III ACTIO N

Department of State and GSA Announce Contract for

Construction of U.S. Diplomacy Center

Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 1, 2014

Today, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the award of a $25 million contract to begin construction of the U.S Diplomacy Center—the nation’s first museum and education center devoted exclusively to exploring the history, practice, and challenges of U.S.

Diplomacy. The project is privately funded with donations to build a 21st century, state-of-the-art glass pavilion that will become a new public entrance at the Department of State's headquarters.

GSA will oversee construction and awarded the construction contract to Gilbane Building Company through an open and competitive process. The architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle provided the modem concept design. Construction is set to begin early summer 2014 and It will take 18 months to construct the U.S. Diplomacy Center

Situated only two blocks from the National Mall, the new U.S. Diplomacy Center pavilion will provide an exciting new educational destination for visitors to Washington, D.C. It will house interactive technology and exhibits to foster an engaging environment where the public can learn about the importance of diplomacy and those who practice it. The project is funded by private institutional and Individual donors through the Diplomacy Center Foundation.

In 2000, a group of former diplomats formed the Diplomacy Center Foundation with the goal of raising money to build a public facility to honor U.S. diplomacy. The project has enjoyed the support of all subsequent Secretaries as part of an effort to highlight the importance of U.S. diplomacy.

http://www.state.gOv/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/05/225492.htm 9/17/2014