Design Competition to Open for World War I Memorial in D.C.

A federal commission working to build a World War I Memorial in Washington plans to open a design competition for the project this week.

The World War I Centennial Commission is planning an international, two-stage competition open to any professional, university student or interested participant. The group will open its competition Thursday, with submissions due July 21. Finalists will be named in August, and a winning design will be named in January.

In December, Congress passed a law rededicating Washington's Pershing Park along Pennsylvania Avenue as a World War I Memorial. The law calls for enhancing the site to honor U.S. service members. That could include sculptural elements and a landscape design.

The National Park Service is opening an environmental assessment to begin planning for the memorial.