United States Capitol Visitor Center
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The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) is still under construction underneath the east front of the Capitol.
The Capitol Visitors Center will completly change vistors expriences to the Capitol. It will act as a museum, waiting area, and food court. Visitors will enter the visitors center on the east front of the capitol, and immediatly go underground. To help it feel more open, large glass windows are gong to be installed in the ceiling of the center, which will frame a few of the Capitol rotunda as you enter the CVC. Once inside, visitors can recieve a timed entry ticket for a tour of the Capitol. This will eleviate the long line that currently exists for tours. While waiting for their tour, visitors are free to roam around the CVC. The CVC will have exibits and stautes. The full size model of the Statue of Freedom (which currently resides in the basement of the Russell Senate Office Building) will be on display in the CVC. Their will also be two theaters showing a video on the Senate and the House. The film will be shown on a continuous basis. There will also be a food court in the CVC where members of the public can eat. This will help stop the crowding in the Dirksen Cafiteria and give visitors a place to eat between 12:00 noon and 1:30 PM.
The CVC also contains space for Congresses use. It will have many meeting and conference rooms. On the Senate side, there will be a large room which will most likely be used by a Committee. Lastly, there will be one large chamber with a capacity for up to 450 people, which can be used for showing movies, or as a chamber for either the House or the Senate when remodiling of their current chambers take place.
Construction is supervised by the Architect of the Capitol, Alan M. Hantman, FAIA. Although originally planned to be completed by December 2005, the current completion date (not including the Senate and House expansion space) is Spring 2007. The expected cost of the CVC is 554 million USD. The CVC has caused great contriversy due to it being overbudget and behind schedule. Much of this is blamed on the rising cost of fuel, new security measures due to 9/11, and inclimate weather. Due to the latest delay, Mr. Hantman will need to be reappointed, by President Bush, to another ten year term if he is to remain in office when the project is completed.
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