Viewing page 6 of 19

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-5-

A total of 225 employees (21 Trust Fund and 204 Federal) have applied for the separation incentives. These employees represent salary dollars of $8,914,000. Buyout costs which include both annual leave payouts and the buyout dollars total $6,423,000. Benefits savings total $1,285,000. This represents a baseline expense reduction of $3,776,000 in fiscal year 1995. 

The Economic Impact Study

On June 21, 1994, the Smithsonian hosted a breakfast and press conference to announce the findings of a recently completed study of the economic impact of the Institution on the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The study, conducted by Dr. Stephen S. Fuller of The George Washington University in conjunction with the Greater Washington Research Center, revealed an economic impact of $6.7 billion or five percent of the metropolitan area's Gross Regional Product. 

During the press conference, Secretary Adams spoke about how this study underscores one more aspect of the importance of the Institution to the community. He also encouraged other cultural institutions to use such studies to demonstrate their impact to various constituencies. "I am not at all surprised by the result of this study," Secretary Adams said. "Cultural organizations play a more important, even vital, role in the economic health of our communities than has been generally recognized. This comprehensive study and others like it that have been conducted around the country, provide us with one more reason why Americans must strive to support cultural institutions." Watch for Secretary Adams' Horizons column in the August issue of Smithsonian Magazine, in which he reflects further on the findings of the economic impact study. 

Major Construction Activities

Renovation of the Custom House for the NMAI George Gustav Heye Center continues on schedule for the October opening. The first artifact arrived on June 29th, and exhibit installation will finish by September. The restoration of the historic rooms will be completed in August. 

Design for the NMAI Suitland Cultural Resources Center is proceeding. The solicitation for the replacement horticulture building was issued with contract award expected later this summer.

Final negotiations for the design of the NMAI Mall museum with the firm of Geddes, Brecher, Qualls, and Cunningham in association with Douglas Cardinal are under way. Excavation of on-site test pits will complete the balance of the required archeological investigation.

Construction of new mechanical equipment spaces for the East and West wings and renovation of the windows at the Natural History Building are proceeding as planned. The foundation and basement of the East Court require redesign that will delay the award of the construction contract until early 1995. Construction of the replacement greenhouse at Suitland is complete, and the relocation is under way. The construction of the new osteoprep laboratory is well along. Relocation of the osteoprep function is necessary before demolition can begin in the East Court. The design contract for the West Court and large-format theater was signed in June.

The $4 million contract work for general repairs and new construction at the Silver Hill Facility continues. Construction of the new chemical cleaning facility and the artifact storage building is progressing. While the vehicle maintenance building is complete, the revised storm water management plan awaits approval from the state of Maryland.