Mall project called damaging, illegal: "Construction around the Washington Monument to prevent terrorist attacks is damaging the National Mall and proceeding under an illegal contract, says a preservation group that is calling for an investigation.

"The National Coalition to Save Our Mall said the National Park Service is exploiting fears of a terrorist attack to restrict access to the Mall, and wants the Interior Department's inspector general to investigate the 1998 contract and numerous additional work orders issued before and after September 11, 2001."