Viewing page 221 of 242

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

125

space at the Navy Yard.  A subsequent phase of development at Suitland would alleviate emerging collection storage pressures in the history and art bureaus.

[[underlined]]Zoological Park.[[/underlined]]  Development of the Zoological Park's facilities will be largely finished by FY 1988, but two projects may remain for completion in the following years:  the aquatic habitat facilities at Rock Creek and the visitors/conference facility programmed for the Conservation Center.  Over the years, R&R funds will be sought for the Center for such items as installation of utilities and access roads, security buildings, quarantine and animal hospital facilities, and maintenance facilities.  The visitors center as currently envisioned will add about 35,000 square feet to the Institution's public/exhibit areas after FY 1988.

[[underlined]]Radiation Biology Laboratory.[[/underlined]]  The Institution recently exercised an option to renew the lease for the Radiation Biology Laboratory's facilities at Rockville, Maryland, through 1985. and anticipate exercising a second option which would extend this lease through 1990.  Past experience indicates that technically sophisticated laboratory space is acquired for lease only at significant expense, and with less than satisfactory results.  Sometime during the period FY 1988-1990 it will be necessary to acquire appropriate new quarters for the Radiation Biology Laboratory.  Over the next several years, the Institution expects to complete a study of the Laboratory's space requirements and to explore how these could be met by further development of existing Smithsonian property.  These needs might equate to around 60,000 square feet of research and laboratory space.

[[underlined]]Astrophysical Observatory.[[/underlined]]  The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory depends entirely upon rental space for its activities in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  An Observatory-owned facility at Cambridge could offset long-term escalating rental costs and provide additional benefits of consolidation of locations and increased space.  A 100,000 square foot research and support building programmed for construction sometime after FY 1988 would accommodate the Astrophysical Observatory's requirements, and must be considered.

[[underlined]]Cooper-Hewitt Museum.[[/underlined]]  The Institution currently is exploring ways to make maximum use over the long run of the land and space available for Cooper-Hewitt operations.  Under consideration is a tentative plan which would allow a new wing to be constructed at some future date on the parking area adjacent to the Carnegie Mansion.  The new building would add substantially to the Museum's capabilities for special changing exhibitions, and allow the Carnegie Mansion to house the Museum's permanent collections and exhibitions.  The entire project is envisioned as funded