Department of Housing and Urban Development Innovative Grant for a Children's Museum in the District of Columbia

Issues were examined in relation to the District of Columbia's application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a grant to establish the National Children's Museum as an innovative community development project under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The proposed project meets requirements of the act and eligibility standards of HUD regulations. The District has no plans to provide funding for the museum, but the museum could apply for a low-interest loan under a local rehabilitation program. The museum plans to obtain private funds through fundraising, charges, and sales. HUD has not investigated alternative uses for the land on which the proposed museum would be located and does not believe it is required to do so. Estimates of museum attendance shown in the application were generally consistent with museum records, but the attendance claimed in the application may have been slightly understated. The grant application received normal processing within the District but, after congressional inquiries, it has been handled by the Office of the Secretary.