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The best solution to these problems would be to relocate the Garber facility in an area near an active, major, and permanent airfield with sufficient space to accommodate present and future requirements. The facility should be accessible to the public without interfering with the primary mission of the airfield. After four years of study of Washington National, Baltimore Washington International, Glenn L. Martin Airport, Andrews Air Force Base, and Dulles International, it was concluded that Dulles was the only facility that met all of the criteria. In addition, the Institution has received informal indications of support from the Federal Aviation Administration, state and county political groups, local citizens groups, and the aviation community.

The plan presently contemplated for Dulles envisions a ten-to-fifteen-year period in which activities would be transferred from the existing facility to a new one. Over this time a smooth transition could be made. The Garber workforce is of such an age distribution that the senior members of the staff would probably complete their careers at the Garber facility, while their replacements could be brought on board at the Dulles site. Preliminary staff discussions have occurred with an eye to contracting with an appropriate architectural/engineering firm to outline a statement of requirements for a NASM activity at Dulles. Such a plan could then lead into a Master Plan for the construction of a suitable facility. The Five-Year Prospectus, FY 1985-89, now in draft, anticipates a request of $1.2 million in fiscal year 1987 for architectural planning and design, to be followed by a construction request for approximately $12 million in fiscal year 1988.