Maintenance Access Alternatives for the Undercroft of the Lincoln Memorial

Hartman-Cox Architects

This report examines alternatives for a permanent undercroft maintenance access at the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service routinely performs maintenance in the undercroft, or basement areas of the memorial. Access to the raised terrace undercroft, the space below the grassy area at the base of the memorial; the statuary chamber undercroft, the space below the statue of Lincoln and the approachway undercroft, the space below the stepped cobble and granite area in front of the memorial, is limited. Over the life of the structure, this inaccessibility has limited maintenance efforts. All materials have been carried by hand through a three foot by seven foot door, up or down a flight of steps and around the undercroft by hand or wheelbarrow. The existing openings between the raised terrace undercroft, statuary chamber undercroft and approachway undercroft also limit the size of equipment and materials used in these areas. Anticipated uses of the proposed maintenance access include: • Periodic survey of the underside of the raised terrace, statuary chamber and approachway slabs; • Preservation of the statuary chamber slab; • Periodic survey and maintenance of the drainage and mechanical systems; • Maintenance of the hydraulic elevator. We recommend construction of a permanent maintenance access areaway, a covered vertical shaft in the ground, centered on the west elevation of the memorial. The areaway will be approximately 12 feet by 12 feet by 15 feet deep, made of cast-in-place concrete and supported on caisson foundations to bedrock. It will also have a subsurface drainage system. A granite coping will form the above grade finish at the top of the concrete wSl and a bronze anodized aluminum grate will cover the opening. A vertical opening approximately 12 feet high and 12 feet wide will be cut in the existing concrete wall below grade; a roll up overhead door installed at this vertical opening will provide added security and deny visual access to the undercroft. Equipment and materials will be lowered-by hand or crane as required-into the new vertical opening and maneuvered into the undercroft. We recommend upgrading the electrical system to provide adequate illumination and power throughout the undercroft. We also recommend upgrading the fire protection system to meet current life safety and code requirements for uninhabited spaces. For circulation purposes, we recommend • Regrading of the raised terrace undercroft and the statuary chamber undercroft; • Laying a new gravel path along routes and locations of anticipated high maintenance; • Repairing and extending the wood walkway in the approachway undercroft; • Cutting two openings in the concrete wall between the statuary chamber and the raised terrace undercrofts below the north side of the main stair.

Maintenance Access Alternatives for the Undercroft of the Lincoln Memorial

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