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Sunspot Education Center (1Sep95)
(from NSO, NOAO Newsletter No. 43, September 1995)

Progress continues on the design and development of the $2 million
Sunspot Education Center at the National Solar Observatory. Final
design for the building provides for space divided in thirds with
museum, auditorium and visitor conveniences totaling 7,000 square
feet. The building design is about 90% complete and the construction
bid documents are in final preparation. The request for bid should be
issued by 1 August with award around the middle of September. If all
goes well, construction could begin 1 October. In addition, the design
of the exhibits and displays for the museum portion of the Education
Center has begun. These exhibits will emphasize the unique
instrumentation and science being undertaken at the National Solar
Observatory and Apache Point Observatory (ARC), as well as the
cultural and natural history of the area.

Another major activity in progress is the completion of the National
Environment Protection Act (NEPA) process. All the biological and
cultural resource evaluations have been completed and the
environmental assessment has been issued by the US Forest Service.
After the expiration of the 30 day comment period (20 July), the final
decision will be rendered by the District Forest Ranger and a 45-day
appeal period will begin. If no appeals are made, construction can
begin on October 1 as planned. If all goes well, the opening of the
Education Center should be early in the summer 1996.

Rex Hunter

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