The District government belatedly determined Wednesday that the team that constructed an elaborate tomb for the late hard-charging Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee were required to get building permits — but never did.
Nonetheless, the editor was interred in the stone facility on Wednesday at the historic Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown.
Ben Bradlee’s mausoleum faces criticism https://t.co/u7OIMSn72o pic.twitter.com/A1Ftwii87a
— WTOP (@WTOP) October 21, 2015
After the prominent placement of the tomb came under fire this week, the city’s building department investigated and found that needed building permits were never sought or provided.
A spokesman for the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs told Secrets Wednesday:
“After careful review from our Building Department, DCRA has determined that a permit would be required. The agency will provide the property owner with period of time to correct the issue.
“Permits help to ensure that public safety is achieved by requiring that new construction of all types is built with the necessary safeguards in place.”
The cemetery had no comment.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation told Secrets that the Bradlee mausoleum is in a section that disrupts the flow and beauty of the 22 acre 19th Century “rural cemetery.”
Charles Birnbaum, president of the Foundation that promotes the significance of cultural landscapes like Oak Hill, suggested that the cemetery should have planned better and raised questions about permitting new construction in historic areas of the hallowed grounds.
Bradlee, most famous for being a friend of the Kennedy’s and Post boss during the Watergate era, died a year ago at 93.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
