GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1515

Short Title:  Museum of History Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Colton, Easterling, and N. Crawford.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 1, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITIONS FOR THE NEW NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF HISTORY BUILDING.
Whereas, construction of the new building for the North Carolina Museum of History began on April 24, 1989; and
Whereas, the building is scheduled to be completed in August, 1991; and
Whereas, the citizens of North Carolina will expect the new museum to open within a year after completion of the new building; and
Whereas, no funds have been appropriated for the design, construction, and installation of exhibitions for the new building; and
Whereas, there will be over 55,000 square feet of exhibition space in the new building; and
Whereas, 30,000 square feet of the exhibition space in the new building should be ready for viewing if public expectations are to be met when the building opens; and
Whereas, commercial exhibition costs are currently one hundred to two hundred fifty dollars per square foot depending on complexity; and
Whereas, by using a combination of commercial and museum staff expertise in the design, construction, and installation of exhibits, costs can be reduced to less than fifty dollars per square foot; and
Whereas, funds for the design of the proposed exhibitions must be available in 1989 followed by construction and installation funds in 1991 if the museum is to be opened in June or July 1992; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History $285,000 for fiscal year 1989-90 and $1,020,000 for fiscal year 1990-91 for the purpose of designing, constructing, and installing exhibitions in the new North Carolina Museum of History building.
Sec. 2.  Funds appropriated in this act shall be expended in accordance with G.S. 121-11 and G.S. 143-31.2.
Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.