The Future of the National Aquarium Institution This is a very exciting time for the National Aquarium in Washington as the aquarium moves from its current location, to a more convenient and visible location on the mall with in the Hoover Building. Exhibits will continue to focus on America's Aquatic Treasures with the showpiece exhibit being a 100,000 gallon Hawaiian Island display. Freshwater exhibits and conservation will also be a strong point. The National Aquarium in Washington renovation is part of the entire Herbert. C. Hoover Building Renovation Project that will improve all aspects of this historic landmark. The project will be done in eight Phases at the cost of $600 million dollars and with a final deadline in the year 2020. The National Aquarium Institute has two official projects underway; the Center for Aquatic Life and Conservation in South Baltimore and the brand new National Aquarium in Washington. I'm sure in the next few years the National Aquarium in Baltimore will announce a new expansion project. So, the National Aquarium Institute, as a whole, has the potential to become the number one aquarium in North America, if not the whole world. Here is a link to design concepts for the National Aquarium in Washington: http://www.gga.com/projects/nonprofit/NADC/nadc_2.html Here is also a link to National Aquarium in Baltimore's 30th Anniversary Thread where the Center for Aquatic Life and Conservation design plans can be found: http://www.zoochat.com/22/national-aquarium-celebrates-its-30th-anniversary-168717/
I've been to the National Aquarium Washington last year. Altough its a small, very old aquarium, which can't be compared with all the new,modern Super aquariums like the Baltimore Aquarium, it is a wonderful, very nice aquarium. I like the historic atmosphere of it, its a bit like a journey going back in the time. The tanks may be much smaller than in the new aquariums, but this isn't meaning, they arebad for the animals. The tanks offers really good living conditions for all the fishes. Of course its not possible to keep really large animals at this place, so they don't keep big sharks, to name just one example. Nevertheless, they really do have a great collection of animals. Its great to read, they wil renovate the aquarium, but on the other side, its a little bit sad because they will loose the great, historic atmosphere. What will happen to the present aquarium ? Will it be closed or is it part of the upcoming new aquarium ? When they will open it ? So I hope, I can visit the Washington Aquarium again in the next years.
The entire Department of Commerce building really needs an complete upgrade and renovation. New plumbing and electrical work is needed which will make the building more energy efficient. A new gray-water system may be put in, as well as a green roof. While it may seem that something in history is lost, renovation is needed in any structure and contractors do everything in their power to preserve the past. From the outside, it really won't look that different. As for the aquarium, it is part of Phase II out of Phase VIII, so construction should begin in the next couple of years. The aquarium would have to close. With so much construction, it would most defiantly stress out the animals. The Aquarium Opening is a TBD.
Big changes. National Aquarium, Washington D.C. will close this September. The original timeline for opening the new aquarium at the other end of the Hoover building is no longer relevant. I'm not sure if there are still plans to have the aquarium on the Mall side of the Herbert Hoover Building or not. The aquarium will be closed permanently until funding and a new location is found. National Aquarium in D.C. to Close September 30: DCist
