What is the fundraising goal for the Banneker Memorial?
The design of the memorial calls for a heroic sized statue (14 foot or taller) on a pedestal base, benches, trees, lush landscaping, 30-40 foot tower clock, historic exhibits, astronomical art and a Founding Architects Visitor’s Center. As a result of securing a TEA21 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, underwriting the cost of renovating the L’Enfant Plaza corridor in 2000, the costs of establishing this world class memorial is defrayed substantially. As a result of this partnership, the projected cost of the Banneker Memorial is $33 million. This is a very moderate cost for a world class memorial within the monumental core versus comparable memorials. Because of this partnership, the cost is considerably reduced by virtue of the $50+ million TEA21 grant facilitated by the Washington Interdependence Council (WIC) for the half mile premium expanse which serves as a gateway between the Mall and the waterfront. This leaves only the statute, tower clock, visitor’s center, exhibit
