Located on the National Mall, the museum opened its doors in1964. The renovation will be a multifaceted endeavor designed to,according to the Smithsonian Institution's FY 2007 BudgetJustification to Congress report, facilitate "new public spacerevitalization that will impact 330,000 gross sf on allthree-exhibit floors."

The centerpiece of the property upgrade, however, will be thedevelopment of a new gallery to display the Star-Spangled Banner."Its new surroundings are part of a strategic plan to ensure thelong-term preservation of the flag and to revitalize the entiremuseum to tell the story of America and help future generationsexperience what it means to be an American," museum director BrentD. Glass notes.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has been tapped to oversee designelements of the project, and Turner Construction will handle theplanning and construction responsibilities. Renovation activitiesare on schedule to reach completion by the summer of 2008. "Thesechanges will dramatically transform the building and thepresentation of its collections by creating a grand, open andeasily navigated environment," says Richard Darman, museum boardchairman.