# DC Approves Triumphal Arch Construction Contract

The District of Columbia has approved a **$250 million** design and construction contract for the Triumphal Arch memorial project near Arlington National Cemetery, awarded non-competitively to Harrison Architectural Firm. This large-scale project will significantly alter the Washington, DC skyline and has sparked protests from veterans and community stakeholders concerned about its proximity to memorial grounds and potential environmental impacts, including the preservation of protected dogwood trees.

- Procurement professionals should note the use of a non-competitive contract for a high-value, high-profile memorial construction project in a sensitive historic and environmental area.
- Contractors and industry stakeholders may face increased scrutiny and community opposition in similar projects involving memorials or sites near protected lands.
- Agencies and firms involved in urban design and construction near federal memorials should anticipate environmental and stakeholder engagement challenges.
- This case highlights the importance of balancing project scale, environmental considerations, and veteran community interests in procurement planning and execution.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 24, 2026

### Vendors
- Harrison Architectural Firm (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> A cold day in hell this thing is going up.
> — Ann Wright, Retired Army Colonel

### Sources
- [Veterans Protest Design Firm Behind Trump’s Triumphal Arch Vanity Project - DCMediaGroup](https://dcmediagroup.us/2026/09/23/veterans-protest-design-firm-behind-trumps-triumphal-arch-vanity-project) - DCMediaGroup