[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67849-67850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32603]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Gettysburg National Military Park; Notice

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Public notice.

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SUMMARY: Summary of development opportunity.
    The National Park Service (``NPS'') is seeking proposals from 
highly qualified persons to cooperate with NPS in the development of 
visitor center and museum facilities (the ``Visitor Center/Museum 
Facilities'') for Gettysburg National Military Park (the ``park''), 
under the terms of an NPS cooperative agreement. The cooperator may 
also develop and operate in cooperation with NPS specified related 
facilities (the ``Related Facilities'') as part of the overall NPS and 
cooperator project (the ``Complex''). This Request for Proposals 
(``RFP'') represents a unique opportunity for a visionary, creative 
organization which cherishes our nation's past to be part of a history-
making public-private collaboration which is intended to create the 
premier facility of its kind. The specific goals of NPS (``NPS Goals'') 
for this project are described in the section of this RFP entitled 
``National Park Service Goals for the Complex.'' NPS seeks to consider 
proposals for the cooperative agreement from all possible sources, 
including for-profit not-for-profit and/or governmental entities. 
Because there is no federal funding for construction, only limited 
federal funding for the operation of the Visitor Center/Museum 
Facilities, and no federal funding for construction or operation of the 
Related Facilities, NPS will consider a variety of mechanisms and 
locations to make the Complex a reality.
    Gettysburg is the site of the July 1-3, 1863 battle which many 
consider to be the turning point of the Civil War. The park encompasses 
5,900 acres of terrain upon which most of the battle occurred. Located 
through the park are monuments built by the battle's survivors to 
memorialize their comrades who fell in battle, as well as state 
memorials and unit markers. The national cemetery, where many Union 
dead are buried, and whose dedication was the occasion of Lincoln's 
Gettysburg Address, is also included in the park. The park also owns a 
notable collection of artifacts, archives and printed texts, many of 
which are priceless and irreplaceable. There is a long tradition of 
living history programs, guided walks by interpreters, and personalized 
tours by the park's federally licensed battlefield guides which help 
the park's more than 1.7 million visitors each year understand the 
meaning and magnitude of the Battle of Gettysburg. A more detailed 
description of the park and its environment can be found in the Draft 
Development Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment, Collections Storage, 
Visitor and Museum Facilities,

[[Page 67850]]

Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania.
    The Visitor Center/Museum Facilities will be the gateway to the 
park. The visitors' experiences in these facilities will prepare them 
to understand and appreciate fully the Gettysburg Battlefield. The 
facilities will include the park's main visitor center, a history 
museum, a bookstore for sale of interpretive materials, a gallery for 
the display of the world-famous Gettysburg cyclorama painting, housing 
the park's extensive collections of artifacts and archives, and 
administrative office space. NPS envisions this facility as an 
educational, enriching, enlightening and entertaining destination where 
park visitors can learn about the Gettysburg Campaign. The museum will 
tell the story of the battle in its broad context of the Civil War and 
American History, and of its legacy and enduring importance to the 
American people. At the end of their stay at the facility, visitors 
should want to visit the battlefield, participate in related programs 
and activities in the community, and learn more about the era of the 
Civil War. The Visitor Center/Museum Facilities building program 
includes site rehabilitation, the removal of the existing Cyclorama 
Building, and removal of most of the existing Visitor Center. A very 
small visitor contact station will be developed somewhere in the 
vicinity of the existing centers.
    NPS considers the most proposals received will suggest, as part of 
the overall cooperative arrangements, general NPS operation and 
maintenance of the Visitor Center/Museum Facilities, including, as is 
done now, collection of interpretive fees by NPS and general NPS 
operation of its programs.
    Proposals, however, may also suggest other strategies to operate 
and maintain cooperatively the Visitor Center/Museum Facilities. Such 
strategies may include a blend of public and private management and 
operation or other solutions that provide the park with needed 
facilities and services while limiting NPS financial participation.
    No specific site for the Complex has been proposed or selected. 
Sites both inside and outside the park's boundary will be considered 
under the Site Evaluation Criteria set forth below so long as it is 
within the area of consideration
    NPS intends that the general scope of the Visitor Center/Museum 
Facilities will be the same no matter where the Complex is located. 
However, a cooperator's Related Facilities may be broader in scope if 
located outside of Park boundaries as discussed below. Whatever the 
location, however, NPS wishes to provide a fitting setting in which to 
honor the events comprising the Gettysburg Campaign and to serve its 
visitors. Therefore, the Complex must convey an image compatible with 
the mission and purpose of NPS.
    In preparation for the selection of a proposal, NPS has completed a 
Draft Development Concept Plan. The Draft Development Concept Plan 
describes objectives and options for the Visitor Center/Museum 
Facilities and selects a preferred option. The Draft Development 
Concept Plan has been reviewed by the public and NPS and NPS has an 
environmental assessment of its impacts. Although it is the general 
desire of NPS that proposals will suggest implementation of the 
preferred alternative of the Draft Development Concept Plan (Option D), 
the NPS Goals, which are incorporated by reference in the Proposal 
Evaluation Criteria, are the controlling goals for this RFP. They are 
significantly more general than the description of Option D. Proposals 
are not required to adhere to Option D. Proposals may suggest any 
alternative or modifications to Option D that are consistent with the 
NPS Goals, including, but not limited to, modifications to Option D's 
descriptive building program for the Visitor Center/Museum Facilities.
    NPS believes that most proposals received will include suggestions 
for Related Facilities. However, NPS points out that potential 
cooperators do not have to propose Related Facilities. Potential 
cooperators may submit proposals regarding only the cooperative.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary will consider and evaluate all 
proposals received as a result of this notice. Any proposal must be 
postmarked or hand delivered on or before close of business April 11, 
1997 to be considered and evaluated.

    Dated: December 6, 1996.
John A. Latschan,
Superintendent, Gettysburg NMP/Eisenhower NHS.
[FR Doc. 96-32603 Filed 12-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M