§80t–5 Building

Summary

The Board of Regents must pick a site for the Museum within 2 years after December 27, 2020. The site must be in the District of Columbia, and the Board must consider at least two places: the “South Monument site” on the National Mall (near 14th Street NW and Jefferson Drive SW) and the Northwest United States Capitol site (near 3rd Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW). The Board must look at estimated costs, how suitable each space is (size, nearby buildings, transit, and other conditions), and the Congressional Commission’s recommendations. The Board must consult with several federal planning and design officials, the Chair of the Congressional Commission, the Architect of the Capitol, and the chair and ranking member of seven specified congressional committees. Congress intends the Museum be on or near the National Mall where practical. If a chosen site is run by another federal agency, that agency head must send written notice to the listed committees saying they agree, and then transfer administrative control to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable. The Board may plan, design, and build the Museum at the chosen site in consultation with the museum council. Most rules in chapter 89 of title 40 do not apply, but the Museum cannot be placed in the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40). The Board must pay 50 percent of the costs from Federal funds and 50 percent from non‑Federal sources.