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No work, other than security and fire detection installations and basic maintenance, has been done on the Miller House to date.  Although the building is in run-down condition, out of necessity the upper three floors are now used for storage of some collections and the lower two floors for offices. In its present condition, the House is unsuitable for further museum activities, and as Cooper-Hewitt's program develops, it will be essential to renovate the building to acquire needed temporary exhibition galleries, expanded library, education and office space, as well as appropriate collections storage space. The Institution will seek donations and other means of support for this purpose over the next several years.

[[underlined]] Tropical Research Institute [[/underlined]]

Continuing development in the coming year for the Panama Canal Treaty implementation and a land management and facilities plan for the Barro Colorado Nature Monument will affect the Tropical Research Institute's future renovations and improvements program. In addition, the Institute may find it desirable over this time to plan for more consolidated research and support facilities than exist at present.

The Institute's research facilities on Barro Colorado Island, as well as those at Naos Island, Galeta Point and other locations, continue to offer unique research opportunities to scientists and students throughout the world. These facilities provide minimum comfort and laboratory space, and are under constant attack by the environment. Maintenance, repairs, and improvements are difficult and costly because of logistical problems associated with these remote tropical locations. Preservation of these facilities requires constant support to protect and improve them for the future.

Presently, installation of a new wet laboratory and saltwater distribution system at Naos Island is complete and in use for marine research. In addition, renovation and consolidation of other research facilities at Naos have been planned and designed, and work is scheduled throughout the planning period. At Barro Colorado Island, upgrading of sanitary and water facilities and renovation of almost all structures are necessary. This work will be phased over the next five years, and is estimated to cost about $925,000. About $328,000 (some of which was reprogrammed from various STRI projects in FY 1979 and $195,000 which was provided in FY 1980) will be used to construct a new library facility at the Tivoli site in Panama City. Additional consolidation of laboratory and administrative space at this location is planned, but no detailed plans or estimates are available at this time.

Major repairs and maintenance of the Tropical Research Institute's research and support facilities will require increased attention and funding in the years ahead. The Smithsonian plans to request about $500,000 to $700,000 annually for this purpose, and estimates that about $3,000,000 will be needed over this planning period.