For the past months, the National Park Service has been in negotiations with the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation (the Foundation) regarding its proposal for new visitor center and museum facilities at Gettysburg National Military Park. A public involvement process that has included public workshops, newsletters, open houses and mailings has guided the negotiations. In response to wide-ranging input from the public and interested parties, the Foundation has modified components of the proposal.

    Consequently, the overall size of the center has been reduced by almost 20% and almost all of the commercial facilities have been eliminated. The project now includes:
 

• NPS museum, visitor center, collections storage, administrative offices and classrooms.
• A new public library and research center suggested by the public and recommended by the Foundation.
• The park's existing Cyclorama and Electric Map programs and a film theater, operated by the park's non-profit cooperating association, Eastern National, and showing a film produced by National Geographic.
• An Eastern National Book and Museum Store.
• A 300 seat cafeteria restaurant.
• A licensed battlefield guide tour center, open to all tour operators using the park's licensed battlefield guides.

    The NPS museum, visitor center and library/research center will be free to the public. Eastern National will charge the same interpretive fee for the Cyclorama program and Electric Map program as are currently charged, $3.00 for an adult. There will be a new fee for the film, which is tentatively set at $4.00 for an adult. There is no parking fee.

    The revised total project cost is $39,285,000. The Foundation will seek donations and grants of no less than $27,360,000 and seek conventional financing of no more than $11,925,000. Debt service will be paid from rents charged to the cafeteria and tour center and revenues from the park's Cyclorama, Electric Map and film programs. The reduction in overall debt incurred for the project means that the Foundation will donate the property to the park sooner than previously planned. In addition, the Foundation hopes that additional fundraising will provide an endowment for the facility, enabling high quality interpretation well into the future.

    The new center, in combination with the other actions recommended by the park's General Management Plan, should increase visitation, and consequently increase visitor spending by more than 21 %. This will benefit the business community of Gettysburg.

    NPS and the Foundation believe that revised project will better serve the visiting public by providing high quality interpretive and educational opportunities for the public in a facility that respects the battlefield. 

Gettysburg National Military Park
Proposed Collections Storage, Museum and Visitor Center
Project Components
June 17, 1998

 NOTE: These figures are subject to change as a result of public and agency comment and additional results from feasibility and other financial studies.
 

Project Components

NPS Activities (including collections storage, museum,                                            107,500 sf 
    visitor/welcome center, administrative offices, classrooms,
    library/research center, electric map, cyclorama and theater,
    plus Eastern National Book/Museum Store

Foundation Activities, including cafeteria and Licensed                                             10,600 sf
    Battlefield Guide Tour Center

Total Square Footage                                                                                               118,100 sf

Total Project Cost                                                                                             $ 39,285,000

Funding Strategy
Bank/Institutional financing will not exceed:                                                            $ 11,925,000

Grants/Fundraising will not be less than:                                                                 $ 27,360,000

Total Funding                                                                                                     $ 39,285,000

Operations
Revenue From Electric Map, Cyclorama, Theater &                                                $ 7,475,360
Eastern National Book and Museum Store Operations
Less: Township Admission Taxes                                                                                ( $277,635)

Net Revenue                                                                                                             $7,197,725

Operating and Maintenance Expenses                                                                         ( $4,101,693)

Net Operating Income                                                                                                   $3,096,032

Less: Eastern National Book & Museum Store Revenue to                                           ( $1,100,000)
support other NPS bookstores
Less: Eastern National Return to Gettysburg NMP for                                                      ( $500,000)
interpretive programs and resource protection

Available for Project Financing                                                                                   $1,496,032

Maximum Supportable Debt (Based on 8% interest rate, 20                                         $ 11,925,000
year term, and 1.25 Debt Coverage Ratio)

NOTE: These figures are subject to change as a result of public and agency comment and additional results from feasibility and other financial studies. 

Gettysburg National Military Park
Proposed Collections Storage, Museum and Visitor Center
Estimated Pro-Forma Operating Projections
June 17, 1998

Category                                                                                 Year 1 of Operation
Revenues by Source

Electric Map Fee                                                                             $ 958,768
Cyclorama Program Fee                                                                     705,558
Gettysburg Film Theater                                                                    1,112,026
Eastern National Book and Museum Store Gross Revenue                4,361,280
Non-exclusive Licensed Battlefield Guide & Tour Center                      100,000
Cafeteria Rent (set at 12% of gross sales)                                             180,000
Cafeteria Contribution to Building Operations                                         37,728
Other Miscellaneous Revenues                                                               20,000

Total Revenues                                                                            $ 7,475,360
Less: Township Admission Taxes                                                 ($277,635)
Total Net Revenue                                                                        $7,197,725

Facility Operating Expenses

Retail Cost of Sales                                                                          $2,027,995)
Electric Map, Cyclorama and Theater Operating Costs                         (912,080)
NPS Museum Additional Operating Expenses (over current                  (544,446)
operation)
Building Operating and Maintenance Expenses                                      (617,171)
Total Expense                                                                               ($ 4,101,693)

Net Operating Income (Net Revenue - Net Expense)                     $ 3,096,032

Less: Eastern National Bookstore Revenue to support                     ($ 1,100,000)
operations of other NPS bookstores throughout the
national park system
Less: Current Eastern National return to Gettysburg NMP                     (500,000)
for Interpretive programs and resource protection

Available for Project Financing                                                      $ 1,496,032

Maximum Supportable Debt (Based on 8% interest rate,                   $ 11,925,000
20 year term, and 1.25 Debt Coverage Ratio)

NOTE: These figures are subject to change as a result of public and agency comment and additional results from feasibility and other financial studies. 

Gettysburg National Military Park
Proposed Collections Storage, Museum and Visitor Center
Questions and Issues
 

• Why does the project keep changing? The process used by NPS called for negotiation of the proposal. This was because NPS believed that public and agency concerns voiced during review might result in a need for changes. The non-profit foundation has suggested several modifications to respond to public and agency concerns and to ensure that all activities in the new complex are appropriate, necessary and benefit visitors and NPS. Other changes are possible as additional public comment is received.

• Why did NPS withhold financial data from the original proposal? NPS withheld privileged or confidential commercial and financial information from all of the proposals submitted in response to the Request for Proposals. The Foundation asked NPS to withhold financial information to preserve its ability to negotiate with landowners and potential tenants. The non-profit foundation has now given its permission to release financial data from the original proposal. However, the proposal has changed significantly because of negotiations between NPS and the non-profit foundation, and the original financial data no longer represents the project.

• What will fees to the public be under the proposal? The visitor center and new museum, the major orientation and interpretive programs of the facility, would be free. The current interpretive fees charged for the Electric Map and Cyclorama programs would continue, at their current levels ($3.00 for an adult). The only new interpretive fee would be for the film, and is estimated at $4.00 for an adult. There would be no charge for parking.

• The costs of land acquisition seem high. Published figures for land acquisition are incorrect. The total costs of land acquisition include not only the 45-acre LeVan tract, but also a number of other commercial and residential properties on Baltimore Pike adjacent to the proposed site. The proposal included their acquisition to prevent unwanted commercial development. The Foundation felt that the price for the LeVan tract was fair given its unique qualities and proposed purpose.

• Are federal funds necessary to make the project work? NPS did not request federal funds and remains confident that the proposed cooperative arrangement can provide the collections storage, visitor center and museum facilities needed by the park without federal appropriations. However, if the Congress and the President determine that federal funds should be specifically appropriated to assist the project, they could certainly be used.

• What facilities are included in the project now? Included are the NPS visitor center, museum, collections storage, administrative offices, classrooms and library research facility. It will include the park's electric map theater, Cyclorama program, and a theater showing a National Geographic produced film. The only retail included in the complex is an Eastern National Book and Museum Store. Related facilities include a 300 seat family cafeteria and a licensed battlefield guide tour center, open to many different types of tours using licensed battlefield guides. Eliminated from the proposal are the National Geographic Store, a second restaurant, an arts and crafts gallery, and a tour center gift store.

• Size and Cost of the project: 118,100 square feet (reduced from 145,802 in the original proposal) and $ 39,285,000, through a combination of fundraising and institutional financing.