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The Smithsonian's museum activities in the Washington area are concentrated around and near the Mall, an area dedicated by the use, education and enjoyment of the public. These activities, which encompass exhibits, education, collections, conservation, research and support, fully occupy and crowd available Mall space. Economies in the use of space are being pursued which entail the leasing of inexpensive, nearby space for office and workshop purposes and the examination and disposal of materials in various buildings to free up presently held space. Nevertheless, the continuation and expansion of direct public services and the necessary growth of collections require additional space in which to house the less visible services of collections management, conservation, documentation, research, and publication.

Originally, we planned a much larger center, but the cost compelled us to scale down the initial phase of the ultimate project. The important action now required may be followed by succeeding phases as national policy permits.

During the past eighteen months members of the Smithsonian staff and a consortium of consultants have carefully analyzed existing facilities and space requirements of the Institution, concentrating initially on the critical needs of the National Museum of Natural History. This assessment indicates that a project costing $21,500,000, with approximately 338,000 square feet of office, storage and laboratory space will meet the Institution's most pressing space needs as currently