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RESERVATION OF MALL SITE FOR FUTURE PUBLIC USES OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Long standing policies guiding the development of the Mall have reserved land use almost entirely to museums, galleries, and similar public uses. With construction of the addition to the National Gallery of Art on the square bounded by Third Street, Madison Drive, Fourth Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue, the north side of the Mall is fully committed to use. To assure that the last remaining square on the southern side is used for public purposes, and to balance the Gallery addition now under construction, legislation is now needed to reserve the site bounded by Third Street, Maryland Avenue, Fourth Street, and Jefferson Drive for the future public uses of the Smithsonian Institution. 

If now legislatively reserved for this purpose, the site at some future date will be available to complete the Smithsonian complex of institutions for public education and enjoyment. At the appropriate time, the new museum would be submitted for specific construction authorizing legislation by the Congress. Thus, the present proposal looks to the future and will assure the orderly and proper development of the Mall.

The land proposed to be reserved is owned by the Federal Government and its reservation would entail no cost.