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105

FACILITIES PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION,
RESTORATION AND RENOVATION

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The Smithsonian's responsibility for its museum buildings and other facilities requires a continuing program of repairs and maintenance (some of which is accomplished by staff with funds provided in operating budgets), renovations and restorations, and new construction.  The objectives of this program are to provide appropriate, safe, and accessible facilities for research, education, and care of collections.  Federal appropriations are the primary source of funds for this work, but, starting with the funding of the original Smithsonian Institution Building, other sources of funds have at various times become available for particular projects.

Beginning in the mid-1970s, the Smithsonian established improvement of its facilities and their operation as one of its highest priorities.  This decision to emphasize  building repairs and improvements through the budget process reflected the Institution's great concern for the condition of its buildings, many of which date back to the turn of the century, as well as the realization that many more millions of dollars were required each year for this purpose.

Considerable progress has been made in determining the extent to which additional facility support is required.  A number of critical projects have been completed and a number of other major projects have been started.  These projects include periodic work such as roof replacement, terrace waterproofing, replacing heating and air conditioning equipment, fire detection and suppression improvements, etc.  These and other repair and improvement requirements are currently estimated to cost about $69,999,999 from FY 1984 through FY 1988.

In addition to safety and proper operation of existing buildings, the Smithsonian has in recent years required development of major new facility resources for collections management and replacement and upgrading of deteriorated and inadequate facilities at research field stations at the Chesapeake Bay Center, Edgewater, Maryland; Whipple Observatory, Mt. Hopkins, Arizona; Tropical Research Institute, Panama; at the Zoological Park in Rock Creek and the Zoological Conservation Center at Front Royal, Virginia; and at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum in Washington.

Redevelopment of the Zoological Park began in 1970 and steadily accelerated to a point where now only several improvement projects and one exhibition project remain.  About $36,650,000 of work has been accomplished