Pentagon 9/11 Memorial breaks ground on new visitor center

Family members, survivors, and first responders gathered in Arlington, Virginia, to break ground on the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Visitor Education Center. The $100 million project is designed to provide exhibits and programs that explain the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their historical impact.

Located across from the Pentagon and the existing National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the facility is expected to open in 2029. In addition to educational exhibits, the center will feature event spaces, a cafe, and a bookstore. The project aims to fill a gap in the visitor experience at the three 9/11 attack sites, as the Pentagon site is the last to receive a dedicated museum or visitor center.

Jim Laychak, chairman of the Pentagon Memorial Fund board, stated that the project is intended to preserve the memory of the victims and the national response. The memorial honors the 184 people who died at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the building's western facade.