The offer to the District of Columbia government includes $75million for the building and a $25-million grant to build low andmoderate-income housing. It is said to be the largest price everpaid for a parcel of land in the District. Building the museum andresidences on the site would raise the total project cost to $250million.

The foundation wants to build a mixed-use project of 300,000 sffor the Newseum, the Freedom Forum's headquarters and a conferencecenter. Some 30,000 sf are also being set aside for a restaurantand Newseum store. The group plans to top the building with 100condominiums comprising 145,000 sf in keeping with a requirementfor housing on the development.

The museum, now in 72,000-sf space, wants to expand. It has had1.5 million visitors since it opened in 1997, a spokeswoman says.With its lease in Rosslyn expiring in 2003, the foundation needs toknow if the offer is accepted by the end of the year.