JGM was the prime consultant and coordinated the work of the multi-state consultant team for master planning and Phase I and II design development and construction implementation of this 156 acre national veterans cemetery. Department of Veterans Affairs and King County ’s Department of Development & Environmental Services teamed up in a unique relationship in order to meet the project’s environmental objectives.

Perhaps the Tahoma National Cemetery ’s most striking element is its axial orientation toward Mount Rainier, taking full advantage of its geographical location in southeastern King County . The individual markers along the main drive are aligned with Mount Rainier , creating a powerful image of order, rank and file. When all four phases are completed, the cemetery will accommodate up to 122,000 veterans through a variety of ways: in traditional burial plots, cremated remains housed in garden niches, columbarium or scattering gardens.

The Tahoma National Cemetery Master Plan received an Honor Award for design from the Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and is featured in VA pamphlets distributed at all veteran’s cemeteries.

JGM’s scope included master planning, public involvement and multiple design and construction phases. Ted Wall , ASLA, was JGM’s the project manager for all phases of the project. David McNeal, FASLA, served as principal-in-charge and master planner.