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Man in Space Alternatives and Impacts

ALTERNATIVE 3 - FOUNDATION OR COMMISSION COORDINATION

Responsibility for interpretation, visitor use, and preservation of the 26 Man in Space sites would be centralized under a private foundation or public commission established to oversee, coordinate, and direct interpretive and preservation efforts nationwide. This would permit coordinated and consistent interpretation at all sites, installations, and other museums and facilities as well as selected site preservation projects.

More emphasis would be placed on on-site interpretation and resource preservation; off-site interpretation at installation visitor centers would also continue to be important in telling the Man in Space story. Congress would authorize and provide funding for the foundation or commission and would also designate the 26 Man in Space sites as affiliated areas of the national park system (not a national park system unit). The areas would receive special recognition and could draw upon Park Service and Smithsonian technical assistance in interpretive and preservation efforts. Depending on the level of assistance, an additional appropriation from Congress might be necessary. Private sector contributions would also be sought to supplement congressional appropriations in supporting foundation or commission activities. Cooperative agreements between each agency and the foundation or commission would be established to ensure proper interpretation and preservation of the Man in Space sites. Contract, concessioner, and volunteer services would be used wherever possible.

Management

The Man in Space sites would remain under the administration of their respective agencies; the legislation authorizing the foundation or commission would define its role and responsibilities in interpretation, visitor use, and preservation of the sites. Administrative offices for the foundation or commission would be in Washington, D.C., where each agency's headquarters is located, to assure a national focus for the 26 sites.

The foundation or commission would work with the involved agencies, advise them regarding interpretive and preservation concerns, and oversee operations related to the sites. Taking into account each agency's mission, the foundation or commission would prioritize the sites, recommend specific measures for their interpretation and preservation, and provide a comprehensive interpretive plan for presenting the Man in Space theme to the public. In addition, it would work with federal, state, local, and private agencies, groups, and individuals to encourage interpretation of the Man in Space theme nationwide.

Funding

Additional funding and authority to hire personnel would be provided to the foundation or commission through congressional action. The foundation or commission would in turn fund the interpretive and preservation activities of the administering agencies related to the Man in Space theme. Funding for foundation or commission activities and for interpretive and preservation efforts would also be raised through private fund-raising, corporate donations, sales from visitor services, and possibly increased visitor fees. The foundation or commission would support all fund-raising activities, including the activities of the Apollo Society for the preservation of the Apollo launch tower.

Interpretation/Visitor Use

An interpretive plan would be developed by the foundation or commission in cooperation with all of the managing agencies. The plan would assess the need for on-site interpretation at the 26 sites and would recommend appropriate media for both on-site and off-site interpretation. An overview of the Man in Space theme would be presented at each of the sites as well as site-specific information describing its individual contributions to the early American space program. The foundation or commission would provide guidance and technical assistance, including determining the interpretive subthemes/components and the types of historical and photographic sources, exhibitry, displays, and other media to be used, developing a logo and coordinated sign system, and possibly developing a traveling exhibit. It would provide assistance in developing interpretive media and programs once the Apollo launch tower and its associated visitor facilities were constructed. It would also coordinate and work with personnel at other space museums and facilities to ensure consistency of themes, subthemes, media, and materials nationwide. Visitor use would continue to be regulated by the managing agencies.

Preservation

Allocation of funds would be based on each site's preservation potential. Documentation and recordation according to section 106 and 110(f) implementing procedures would be required for each property. Agencies would not be prevented from salvaging all or portions of existing facilities unless site preservation was considered essential to interpretation; however, proper documentation would be required before any property was altered. The foundation or commission along with the appropriate state historic preservation officer and the Advisory Council would be notified of the nature of all alterations. The foundation or commission and the agencies would use contract and volunteer personnel wherever possible in the preservation and maintenance of sites. The agencies would receive guidelines and technical assistance from the foundation or commission in preservation activities.

The options described in the introduction to the alternatives for preserving the launch complex 26 service structure (if determined feasible) and reerecting the Apollo launch tower would be explored. Members of the foundation or commission would lend expertise in the fund-raising effort to reerect the tower as a part of the 20th anniversary of the first manned moon landing.

Management and Funding

Guidance and assistance from the foundation or commission would help the managing agencies coordinate and interpretive and preservation activities related to the Man in Space resources. The new funding base and authority to hire additional personnel would minimize financial and manpower impacts on managing agencies and avoid the need to compete for existing funds and personnel. The cost of certain visitor services could increase.

Interpretation/Visitor Use

This alternative would result in coordinated interpretation and increased visitor understanding of the Man in Space theme. Current interpretation, which focuses on present and future space programs, would be enhanced because of the introduction of a historical context. On-site interpretation and visitor access would increase.

Preservation

Coordination of preservation efforts would mean that all properties would be prioritized based on their preservation potential, and selected sites would be stabilized, restored, or reconstructed as funds were made available. All sites would be documented and recorded under section 106 and 110(f) implementing procedures. The launch complex 26 service structure would be preserved, if determined feasible by the engineering study. The Apollo launch tower would be preserved, assuming fund-raising efforts were successful.

Continued

Last Modified: Wed, Nov 29 2000 10:00:00 am PDT
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