United States Capitol Visitor Center
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The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) is an addition to the United States Capitol which will serve as a gathering point for visitors and tourists. It remains under construction below the East Front of the Capitol.
The Capitol Visitor Center will serve as a museum, waiting area, and food court. Visitors will enter the center on the East Front of the Capitol, and immediately go underground. Large glass windows have been installed in the ceiling's center, which will frame a view of the Capitol rotunda as one enters the CVC. Once inside, visitors will be able to get a timed entry ticket for a tour of the Capitol. The limiting of tour times is intended to shorten the long line that currently exists for tours. While waiting for their tour, visitors will be free to explore the CVC. The CVC will have exhibits and statues. 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. There will also be two theaters continuously showing a video on the history of Congress. There will also be a food court in the CVC open to the public. This will help prevent overcrowding in the cafeterias in the other office buildings of the Capitol Complex.
The CVC will also have space for use by the Congress. 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. Finally, 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 if either of their chambers is unavailable.
Construction is supervised by the Architect of the Capitol. That post was held Alan M. Hantman, FAIA although his term expired on February 4, 2007 and is currently vacant. {Stephen T. Ayers]], AIA, the Deputy Architect of the Capitol is currently serving as the acting Architect. Although originally planned to be completed by January 2004, the current completion date (not including the Senate and House expansion space) is September 2007. The expected cost of the CVC is US$554 million. The CVC has caused controversy for being over budget and behind schedule. Much of this is blamed on the rising cost of fuel, post-9/11 security measures, and inclement weather. Many suggest that the continued project delays and cost overruns are the reason Hantman was not considered for reappointment as Architect of the Capitol.
[edit] External links
| United States Capitol Complex | |
|---|---|
| United States Capitol | |
| House: | Cannon | Ford | Longworth | O'Neill | Rayburn |
| Senate: | Dirksen | Hart | Russell |
| Library of Congress: | Adams Building | Jefferson Building | Madison Building |
| Others: | Botanic Garden | Power Plant | Reflection Pool | Supreme Court | Visitor Center |
