Smithsonian Wins Go-Ahead To Set Up Shop At Dulles

<FONT SIZE="+3"><B>Smithsonian Wins Go-Ahead To Set Up Shop At Dulles</B>

</H1><I>Washington </I>- A stopover at Dulles International Airport could soon become an attractive prospect for business travelers who also happen to be aviation buffs.

A planned annex at Dulles for the Smithsonian's highly popular National Air and Space Museum has won congressional approval and the legislation for the expansion has been signed by President Clinton.

Some $4 million in planning and development funds already have been approved for the new building, which will house the SR-71 spy plane, the space shuttle Enterprise and the B-29 bomber Enola Gay, among other historical aircraft. That equipment currently is being warehoused by the Smithsonian, awaiting construction of the 772,000-square-foot museum.

Officials hope to open the building on Dec. 17, 2003, the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight. However, no federal funds will be expended for the building; fund-raising efforts will be directed by the Smithsonian. Backers of the project are confident that the annex will open on schedule.