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NEW TITLE: Visitor Use and Security: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
Independence National Historical Park » NEW TITLE: Visitor Use and Security: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell » Document List
Independence National Historical Park is in the process of writing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the "Security Fence and Screening Facilities" project on Independence Square and Mall, Block 1. So that interested parties can conveniently comment on this proposal, the EA is posted both on the Park's website http://www.nps.gov/inde/ (click on Management Documents) and on this http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ website. Hard copies are also available for examination and use at the Park Headquarters at the address below.
As directed by the Secretary of Interior, the project is intended to protect Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as visitors and employees, from terrorist threats. The EA presents a detailed analysis of the government-preferred Alternative B and also of Alternative A (status quo) and C (new screening building on the Square). The EA is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as part of planning process
Under Alternative B, this undertaking includes the reversible construction of an esthetically compatible, visually open, iron palisade fence around the northern grassed portion of Independence Square as protection for Independence Hall, employees, and screened visitors and also a very short addition to the existing brick and iron palisade fence around the Liberty Bell chamber on the Mall's Block 1. The Square would also see new wayside signs explaining the history of the Square landscape and its protection for the last 250 years. Within the secured Square area, screened visitors would be able to roam freely and also visit Old City Hall, Congress Hall, Independence Hall, and the West Wing, as they do now. Also, unscreened visitors walking the major east-west pavement across the Square would not be impeded by this proposed fence.
Each area would contain a screening facility where people and their belongings would be screened for prohibited items, as has been done since March 1, 2006. For the Liberty Bell screening, a new permanent addition to the present Liberty Bell Center will be built in the narrow strip between the Center and the Sixth Street sidewalk, the location of the present temporary pre-fabricated building. This proposed addition would be architecturally compatible with the Liberty Bell Center, a modern, structurally expressive building. Both the temporary and permanent screening buildings and fence will not impede access to the open Block 1 landscape (including the planned President's House commemoration) and will not block the view of Independence Hall from the Independence Visitor Center and from the National Constitution Center ("Operation Mall Vista").
The attached public review EA includes a detailed analysis of the above alternative which the National Park Service and Department of Interior have found to be the preferred option. The detailed analysis includes the topics of visitor experience, public safety, and preservation steps to mitigate the effects of this project.
The Park asks for thoughtful evaluation and comment on this project and its efforts to avoid adversely affecting park resources. Comments on the EA may be made on this website or mailed or e-mailed to the address below. The public comment period will close September 1, 2006; comments must be postmarked no later than that date.
Superintendent, Independence National Historical Park
Attn: EA Review of Security Project
143 S. Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Fax: 215 597-1003
Email to claire_rozdilski@nps.gov
We appreciate your insights into our proposed security program.
Independence National Historical Park
143 S. Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Fax: 215 597-1003
Phone: 215 597-7120
As directed by the Secretary of Interior, the project is intended to protect Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as visitors and employees, from terrorist threats. The EA presents a detailed analysis of the government-preferred Alternative B and also of Alternative A (status quo) and C (new screening building on the Square). The EA is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as part of planning process
Under Alternative B, this undertaking includes the reversible construction of an esthetically compatible, visually open, iron palisade fence around the northern grassed portion of Independence Square as protection for Independence Hall, employees, and screened visitors and also a very short addition to the existing brick and iron palisade fence around the Liberty Bell chamber on the Mall's Block 1. The Square would also see new wayside signs explaining the history of the Square landscape and its protection for the last 250 years. Within the secured Square area, screened visitors would be able to roam freely and also visit Old City Hall, Congress Hall, Independence Hall, and the West Wing, as they do now. Also, unscreened visitors walking the major east-west pavement across the Square would not be impeded by this proposed fence.
Each area would contain a screening facility where people and their belongings would be screened for prohibited items, as has been done since March 1, 2006. For the Liberty Bell screening, a new permanent addition to the present Liberty Bell Center will be built in the narrow strip between the Center and the Sixth Street sidewalk, the location of the present temporary pre-fabricated building. This proposed addition would be architecturally compatible with the Liberty Bell Center, a modern, structurally expressive building. Both the temporary and permanent screening buildings and fence will not impede access to the open Block 1 landscape (including the planned President's House commemoration) and will not block the view of Independence Hall from the Independence Visitor Center and from the National Constitution Center ("Operation Mall Vista").
The attached public review EA includes a detailed analysis of the above alternative which the National Park Service and Department of Interior have found to be the preferred option. The detailed analysis includes the topics of visitor experience, public safety, and preservation steps to mitigate the effects of this project.
The Park asks for thoughtful evaluation and comment on this project and its efforts to avoid adversely affecting park resources. Comments on the EA may be made on this website or mailed or e-mailed to the address below. The public comment period will close September 1, 2006; comments must be postmarked no later than that date.
Superintendent, Independence National Historical Park
Attn: EA Review of Security Project
143 S. Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Fax: 215 597-1003
Email to claire_rozdilski@nps.gov
We appreciate your insights into our proposed security program.
Contact Information
Claire RozdilskiIndependence National Historical Park
143 S. Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Fax: 215 597-1003
Phone: 215 597-7120