Construction Milestones

Phase 1: Mobilization

Mobilization is the phase when the existing site is cleared in preparation for construction. Any existing vegetation, roads, sidewalks, utilities and structures are removed or relocated. The site is secured with a fence and temporary trailers are erected where the day to day work of the owner and contractors will take place.

• Erect secure fencing around site
• Setup construction trailers
• Setup tree protection zones
• Demolish existing landscape / road / utilities
• Finalize tree selection – The Foundation, in conjunction with the MTTG Design-Build Joint Venture, hand selects the trees to be planted on the memorial.
• Finalize stone selection­ – While the stone to be used for the memorial plaza, the sculptures and the inscription wall has been specified for use on the memorial for a long time, the Foundation will review the fabricators’ work with the stone, to ensure that the work is of the highest quality.

Phase 2: Infrastructure

During the Infrastructure Phase all new utilities are constructed, including storm drains and piping, manholes, and electrical and communications conduits. Then substructure of the project is installed – piles are driven, rebar is constructed, slab and footer concrete is poured, and drainage pipes are set into the concrete. The entire site is graded per the final design and new planting soil is brought in for new vegetation. The auxiliary building’s foundation and framework are installed.

• Install site utilities – Site utilities include sewage pipes, storm water drainage pipes and manholes, fresh water pipes, electrical conduit and communications lines
• Drive piles – The site of the MLK Memorial is composed of soil that is very soft and damp and will not sufficiently support the weight of the completed memorial. Therefore, columns made of reinforced concrete or steel H-beams - called "piles" - are driven 50 to 60 feet into the earth until they encounter solid bedrock. A concrete slab sits on top of the piles and the entire memorial is built on top of this slab. This type of construction will prevent the memorial from sinking onto the soil.
• Grade site – After all the piles are driven and cut to length, the soil of the site is then rearranged to meet the final height throughout the site as designed by the architects.
• Pour cast-in-place concrete – Once the grading of the soil has been completed the concrete slab can be poured. In addition, the large concrete wall, which will support the granite panels of the Inscription Wall, can be poured.
• Prepare Inscription Wall mock up – Before construction on the wall commences, a small section of the wall and plaza is constructed, including the light fixtures embedded in the plaza and the granite plaza pavers. Engraver Nick Benson is even brought to the site to test engrave a single quote, ensuring readability of his work. This mock up is then rigorously reviewed to ensure the highest standard construction quality is achieved and / or surpassed.
• Pour auxiliary building foundation / erect auxiliary building masonry walls – The auxiliary building houses a small bookstore, a ranger kiosk and comfort facilities.
• Surcharge berms – The two berms behind each leg of the inscription wall will be planted with trees and shrubs. Given the softness of the soil on site, it is necessary to compact the earth under the berms. This process takes some time, and once complete will minimize any sinking that might have otherwise occurred which would have endangered the foliage planted on top.

Phase 3: Art Work

The Art Phase is when the memorial’s finishes are installed, a process that takes the careful precision of artists, artisans and craftsmen (including the engraver and the Sculptor of Record) to implement properly.

• Install plaza pavers ­– the plaza has hundreds of rectilinear pavers of varying sizes
• Install inscription wall panels -
• Arrival of the Mountain of Despair and Stone of Hope – The 159 pieces that comprise the three sculptural elements of the memorial arrive.
• Engrave quotes – Engraver Nick Benson of the John Stevens Shop has designed a type face specifically for this memorial. He and his team of craftsmen will engrave 14 quotes on the inscription wall and one quote on each side of the Stone of Hope.
• Complete the Mountain of Despair and Stone of Hope – Master Lei Yixin and his team of craftsmen will erect all three pieces simultaneously. Once all 159 granite blocks have been assembled, he will then finish carving the fine details of the three sculpture pieces.
• Install forecourt walls, custom curbs – Each section of the forecourt walls, berm curbs and plaza curbs must be custom cut, as none of them are rectilinear pieces. This makes each piece unique, and as such it can only be installed in its designated location.

Phase 4: Landscape

The Landscaping Phase is when the final touches are installed. Trees, shrubs, groundcover, and bulbs are planted. Street lights, a new traffic light, site lighting are installed and asphalt is poured on the road. The auxiliary building is completed and the interior is finished.

• Plant Trees – The process of planting trees is actually twofold, as trees can only be planted in the fall or spring. Almost 200 Yoshino cherry trees will be planted within the memorial, enhancing the existing border of cherry trees around the Tidal Basin. Each year, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom around the beginning of April, as if in memory of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968. In addition, at least 35 American elm trees will be planted along Independence Avenue and West Basin Drive, in concert with the traditional DC streetscape.
• Plant shrubs on berms and in plaza “kidneys” – shrub types include jasmine and English yew. The groundcover is to be a flowering liriope instead of grass.
• Plant flowers / bulbs – the flowers to be grown in the kidney shaped plant beds include daylilies, irises, butterfly gaura and allium.
• Landscape the bookstore plaza – Surrounding the auxiliary building are more cherry trees, benches, pavers and bike racks, water fountains and trash receptacles.
• Complete West Basin Drive realignment – At this point, all utilities have been installed under the road, and streetlights, sidewalks, curbs and storm drain inlets have been installed along the edges.The asphalt is not poured until as late as possible, preventing any damage to the road from construction vehicles.