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-35- the operation, repair, restoration, and long-term preservation of an extensive and aging physical plant encompassing over 200 buildings and totalling more than 5 million square feet. Many of the buildings are monumental in size and are National Historic Landmarks. Keeping up with the operational and repair requirements of these buildings, with the high wear-and-tear from heavy visitor attendance and continuous operation of environmental systems, is a major task. To meet these requirements a program has been developed to analyze building conditions and project resources needed to execute a carefully planned repair and restoration program. Appropriations are sought annually through the Restoration and Renovation of Buildings account, in a process described more fully below. In addition to ongoing repair, renovation and restoration requirements, however, the Institution also must provide the space in which its varied programs may function effectively. Program vitality depends on the ability to keep pace with requirements for new or modified space, for public activities such as exhibitions, performances and classes, and for behind-the-scenes work such as collections storage, management, and research. Minor new construction and alteration of space for programmatic purposes has long been included in the Restoration and Renovation of Buildings program. More major projects are covered under the Construction Program described more fully later. [[underlined]] Restoration and Renovation of Buildings [[/underlined]] The Regents have been apprised of the currently identified backlog of work required to bring the physical plant up to an acceptable level of repair and code compliance and to assure long-term building preservation. This backlog listing, which is updated each February 1 as a result of an annual inspection of facilities, forms the primary basis for development of the Restoration and Renovation of Buildings Program. Each year, architectural, engineering and operating staffs assess conditions, backlog requirements, and the potential impact of deferring various projects to future years. Building-related needs as well as program requirements are discussed with the museum and research facility directors to plan the phasing of repair and renovation projects and to establish priorities for programmatic alterations and modifications. A strategy is developed, based on reasonable expectation of resources, to provide a balance between the repair needs of existing facilities and the alterations required to assure effective program operation. Within the overall framework of this strategy, priorities for individual projects are met, with emphasis given to 1) projects that are required to meet life safety or health codes or correct hazardous conditions, 2) repairs required to keep building systems and equipment in operation or avoid major replacement, and 3) projects that will give a financial return in terms of efficiency of operations or cost savings. In determining the relative priorities of projects, the effect on ongoing programmatic activities is placed against the potential risk associated with deferral of the work. Major projects are phased to avoid major disruption where possible. A long-range program is projected over a period of five or more years, incorporating information from the backlog of essential maintenance and repair, programmatic needs, and future replacement requirements of major
