The National Mall and Memorial Parks is conducting a temporary closure of Columbus Circle because it is necessary for the renovation of the fountain, cleaning of the statues, plaza and turf renovations to the park site. The closures will occur from 4:00 pm, December 10, 2025 through 12:00 pm June 1, 2026. Specifically, the entirety of Columbus Circle, except for its external sidewalk. Closure and detour signs will be posted. This temporary closure is necessary to provide for public health and safety, protect scenic values and cultural resources, implement management responsibilities, and avoid conflict among visitor use activities during the renovation of the park. This closure will allow for the completion of the project in a safe and timely manner and enable the park to return the fountain and site for park visitors, future permitted events, and other park uses.This temporary and partial closure is not of a nature, magnitude or duration that will result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern. Other nearby park areas will remain open to the public, and the duration is as limited as possible to provide for public safety while construction work is ongoing. More limited closures were considered, but would not suffice to provide for public safety because the contractors has advised the NPS that a closure of the entire park is necessary for the work to be completed safely for workers and the public. In the event that work is completed ahead of schedule, the closure will be lifted as soon as safely possible. This closure will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic, or cultural values. Additionally, this closure will not require significant modification to the resource management objectives and is not controversial in nature. To the contrary, other NPS lands in the District of Columbia are frequently closed for construction activity to renovate, restore, and preserve NPS resources for future enjoyment by visitors. And although there is a recent history of permitted and unpermitted demonstration activity in Columbus Circle, comparable NPS lands in the District of Columbia are available for such activities. Accordingly, the National Park Service determines that publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register, is unwarranted per 36 C.F.R. § l.5(b). This finding is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures and judicial adjudications. Picciotto v. United States. No. 99-2113 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. Lujan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C.); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C. 1994), affld in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995).Pursuant to 36 C.F.R.§ 1.7, notice of this temporary and partial closure will be made through fencing and posting of signs at conspicuous locations in the affected park area. Finally, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c), this determination is available to the public upon request. /s/ Kevin Griess December 9, 2025 |
Last updated: December 9, 2025