African -American Museum on Mall--Proposal

President Bush backed an African-American museum on the mall last week. Four sites are being considered--"The two possibilities on the Mall are the Smithsonian's aging Arts and Industries Building, on the south side of the Mall, just west of the Hirshhorn Museum, and an open block at 14th and Constitution, 250 yards northeast of the Washington Monument.

"The president's view does carry some weight, but everyone has to realize the realities of building on the Mall. The Arts and Industries Building would not be a signature building. Some people want a statement. The 14th and Constitution Avenue site might be controversial because of its proximity to the Washington Monument grounds," " said Sheila Burke, Smithsonian official quoted in the Post piece.

I've a modest proposal--take over the USDA Administration Building at the corner of 14th and Independence. The location is the best of any, being higher than the 14th and Constitution. I'm no architectural critic, but the Administration building is IMHO more impressive than the Arts and Industries building. Agriculture is the only department to have offices between Constitution and Independence. It would have a symbolic message as well, given both the historic connection of agriculture and blacks and more specifically the extensive litigation between black farmers and USDA. We could view it as symbolic reparations. As for any problems with USDA, the department is currently renovating the South Building on the south side of Independence, so plans could be changed to provide suitable space for the Secretary. (The northwest corner of the 6th floor has a great view of the White House and Mall, so the Secretary would still have prime real estate.)