The National Aquarium will be closing its doors Monday after the last of its visitors walk through the doors.
The Inquisitr previously reported on the closing when it was first announced at the beginning of summer, noting that the National Aquarium would be closing because the US Commerce Department headquarters, which houses the aquarium, is in the process of renovations, which will include the removal of the first floor aquarium.
According to the National Aquarium website, the General Services Administration (GSA) requires National Aquarium to vacate its current space in the building by March 2014.
The site continued on to say that the September 30 closing date “allows National Aquarium, Washington, DC, to meet GSA’s March deadline using a timeline that accommodates its main priority: the needs of its animals and staff.”
According to a press release posted on the National Aquarium website, the National Aquarium has announced the next steps in establishing its future presence in Washington, D.C., “by engaging with a strategic collaboration of new partners Studio Gang Architects (SGA) and IMPACTS Research & Development.”
The press release continued on to say:
“The assembled team will lead a process entitled BLUEprint, which will include research, engagement, design and analysis to determine the National Aquarium’s best use of resources in the nation’s capital, identifying key partners, defining the optimal facilities and program and delineating the range of costs.”
John Racanelli, National Aquarium CEO stated, “As the National Aquarium, we are committed to a presence and a voice for ocean conservation in Washington, DC.
“The SGA/IMPACTS team brings together substantial expertise to help us pave the way for an exciting future.”
According to the International Business Times , the National Aquarium’s 2,500 residents will be moved to other aquariums and accredited institutions, including the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
As stated before, the National Aquarium will have until March 2014 to relocate all the animals after the September 30 closing.
[Image via Wikimedia ]
