Photo by Eric Spiegel

Now that inspections of the NationalWashington Monument and National Cathedral for earthquake damage have completed, it was only a matter of time before any numbers came out regarding the cost of repairs. During a post-tour press conference outside the National Cathedral Thursday, Mayor Vincent Gray told reporters that he would ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $22 million in federal funds for various repair projects.

According to Mayor Gray, $15 million will be needed to repair the cathedral over ten years, while the remaining $7 million will go towards schools and other public buildings. Interestingly, the cathedral has already started accepting donations from the public for repairs directed towards earthquake damage. But remains to be seen is whether federal funds can be used on a privately-owned D.C. landmark. “This is far more than a than a religious institution. This is an iconic structure,” said Gray during his visit. He also noted that there are precedents for public funds going towards the historical site.

Cathedral administrators have scheduled its reopening for November 12, more than two months after the earthquake.