By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-871695.mp3
Dallas, TX –
The design of the George W. Bush Presidential Center at SMU includes an exact replica of the Oval Office, a Texas Rose Garden, and a "lantern" that will shine at night from "Freedom Hall." KERA's BJ Austin says former First Lady Laura Bush was on campus Wednesday to unveil the design for the library at her alma mater.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center will house archives, a museum and a policy institute. The building will be constructed of red brick and limestone, designed to complement the SMU campus, and will meet top "green" building standards. Former First Lady Laura Bush says one of the most impressive things will be Freedom Hall -- 60 feet tall, with an array of large windows at the top.
Bush: We'll be able to get light from these windows, this lantern at the top, as a skylight into the center of Freedom Hall during the day. And in the evening, it will glow. I think it will be a really beautiful landmark and light for the city of Dallas.
Mrs. Bush says she and the President will have offices at the Center, and expect to spend a lot of time there.
Groundbreaking is about a year away. There are a couple of hurdles to jump before construction can begin. There's a lawsuit over a small piece of land, and necessary re-zoning by University Park officials. Campus neighbors want the city to head off anticipated traffic and parking problems.