Why do the Capitol Grounds have to be disturbed during construction of the Capitol Visitor Center?
The Capitol Visitor Center was carefully designed to minimize adverse effects on the U.S. Capitol and its historic grounds during construction, and to improve them both aesthetically and functionally upon completion. The project was designed to occupy the area beneath the existing asphalt parking lot without any major impact on areas of the grounds other than the areas flanking the East Capitol Street extension into the Capitol grounds. These areas will accommodate gently sloping entrance ramps, 34 newly planted trees, which will provide a canopy over two stepped walkways, and two new monumental stairs adjacent to the CVC entrances. Click here to read about the Historic Landscape and Tree Preservation associated with the building of the CVC.
