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Smithsonian food service operations and it was noted that the Secretary will soon be selecting the successful bidders.  In view of the current low rates of interest, it was determined that it would be in the Smithsonian's best interests to pursue a loan from a bank for the construction of the terrace restaurant at the Air and Space Museum.  Accordingly, it was

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the Secretary to secure a commercial loan for the purpose of financing the costs of constructing and furnishing the terrace restaurant facilities at the National Air and Space Museum.

The Regents were also briefed on matters pending with the Marriott Corporation following the failure of negotiations in 1984 to arrive at terms of a contract for food services.

[[underlined]] National Air and Space Museum facilities at Dulles Airport [[/underlined]]

Following a length period of negotiation the staffs of the institution and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreed on the language of an option for the lease of land at Washington Dulles International Airport on which to expend facilities of the National Air and Space Museum.  The agreement, which would extend through 1992, would allow the Smithsonian to lease at no cost, other than for services that may be provided, approximately 100 acres of land in the southeast section of the airport. Should the option be exercised, the initial period of the lease would be for twenty-five years; provision for renewal is included in the agreement.  In view of the prospective transfer of National and Dulles airports to an independent management authority, and the fact that the Institution's appropriations subcommittees have posed no objections and the Regents concurred, it was the Secretary's intention to proceed with the agreement.

[[underlined]] Major Development Initiatives [[/underlined]]

Selection of bureau development officers continues at the National Air and Space Museum, the Zoo, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research institute, and an outside firm will perform a management study of the National Museum of Natural History as a prelude to the organization of that museum's development office. Brakeley, John Price Jones, Inc., has now provided a new director, Gordon Dixon, for the Cooper-Hewitt's capital campaign.

The National Museum of African Art capital campaign is still in the organizational phase.  Prospects are excellent for obtaining Japanese underwriting for approximately half ($1.5 million) of the production costs of "The Buried Mirror" public television series about the history and culture of Latin America.  Planning continues for an autumn mailing to Contributing Associates, requesting gifts to match a challenge grant of $500,000 from the Kresge Foundation for the renovation of the Great Hall and adjacent areas of the Castle for the Visitors Information and Associates Reception center. The "Information Revolution" exhibition at