The Status and Problems in Constructing the National Visitor Center

Gao ID: PSAD-77-93 April 4, 1977

The problems encountered during the development and construction of the National Visitor Center in Union Station in Washington, D.C. were reviewed.

The project evolved from a plan for the Department of the Interior to lease the privately developed Center from the owners of Union Station. The complex financial and management arrangement did not adequately protect the government. Congress was not informed of costly changes in plans and increased costs in other areas until too late to consider alternatives. The Station owners contracted with a construction company that became its own subcontractor--a questionable procedure. Costs to date are some $45 million, of which some $28 million is the government's share for a partially completed facility. The government had not planned to pay for construction, only for rental. To complete it, estimated costs range from $115 to $180 million. The Department of Transportation is interested in assuming Interior's lease on the structure.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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