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[[underline]]Possible National Museum of Natural History West Court Construction[[/underline]]

The National Museum of Natural History has for some time felt a growing need for restaurant facilities and improved Museum Shop facilities in its building. The increase in visitors anticipated with the 1976 Bicentennial Year is increasing the urgency of these needs. Additionally there is now a growing conviction that a more suitable reception center for our National and Resident Associates would add greatly to the value of this program. Studies indicate that the open West Court area of the Natural History Museum now temporarily occupied by movable operating units would be the most suitable place for such facilities. An intensive study is now being made of the feasibility of accomplishing the needed construction within the next 12 months. Construction would be limited to two floors (30,000 sq. ft.) and would probably cost around $2,500,000.
  Various construction financing options are to be considered. Chances of obtaining federal funds for these purposes in the fiscal year 1976 appropriation, or even in immediately subsequent years, are not considered too promising. It seems probable, however, that construction could be financed satisfactorily from a combination of outside and internal private funds. The Marriott Corp., for example, has indicated that they would undoubtedly be willing to finance and construct the project in return for a satisfactory 10-year contract for the food concession. Smithsonian private funds should be available to fund the Museum Shop portion in the same way we will be funding the new Shop in the History and Technology Building. Resulting increased returns should be sufficient to amortize these costs over a reasonable period.