BRETT ZONGKER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The long-delayed effort to build a memorial honoring President Dwight D. Eisenhower near the National Mall has won a key approval, despite ongoing objections to architect Frank Gehry’s design.

A federal agency that oversees national capital planning approved the preliminary building plans Thursday. The National Capital Planning Commission debated the design and voted 9-1 to approve the concept.

Gehry revised his design in September for a memorial park. He removed two large, steel tapestries on the sides of the park and left one as a backdrop depicting the Kansas landscape of Eisenhower’s Midwestern roots. Sculptures would depict Eisenhower as president and general.

In April, the planning commission rejected the previous design, citing the size and placement of columns holding the tapestries.

Winning approval is a significant step for the project.

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