U.S. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) in 2009. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced an amendment to create a report on the National Mall Underground, a project that would hypothetically include a parking garage under the Mall and provide flood control. The amendment to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 was rebuffed, but that doesn’t mean the group behind the idea will stop pushing for it.

The report would “provide recommendations and a cost estimate to construct and operate the facility,” according to a release from Norton’s office. During a phone call Thursday, Norton said the idea was brought to her by the Save the National Mall Coalition, a group that proposed the idea earlier this year.

“It’s an ambitious idea,” Norton said, adding that the group claims the project could be done without any federal funds. Norton said “there are issues here that would have to be addressed,” including D.C.’s policy that encourages people not to drive into the city.

“This is not, as conceived, a federal project,” Norton said. “It’s federal land. So it can’t take place without wholesale involvement by the federal government.”

A rendering of what the hybrid parking/stormwater management facility would look like.

Judy Scott Feldman, chair of the coalition, said that they’ll continue to work with Norton “to find some way to get Congress to allow us to move ahead with a study.”

“It’s a little difficult because we’re a private group trying to do a public good with private money, no public money,” she said.

In the meantime, Feldman said they’re continuing to develop the project with their consultants. They will hold an exhibit at 1000 Connecticut Avenue NW, which should open within the next two weeks, that will discuss the need for the project.

“We’re developing projects to get the public really engaged, get the business community engaged,” Feldman said. “That’s our public outreach, while at the same time we’re trying to find ways to get Congress to support it.”

Stay tuned for more information.