REGIONAL BRIEFING

EISENHOWER MEMORIAL

Approval of Site Near Mall Likely

The site chosen for a memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower has cleared a hurdle, with final approval expected this week.

The National Capital Planning Commission unanimously approved this month the memorial location across the street from the Mall, near the National Air and Space Museum.

Another congressionally created body -- the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts -- is expected to endorse the site Thursday.

There is no design yet, but the Eisenhower Memorial Commission is committed to a landscaped, plaza-style memorial, given its urban setting, executive architect Dan Feil said.

Once the predesign process is completed early next year, there will be a design competition to choose an architect for the project.

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for early next year. Completion is expected within about five years.

-- Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA

Cooking Fire Destroys Apartment

An apartment in an Alexandria building caught fire Saturday night after food was left cooking on an untended stove, fire officials said.