The Department of Employment Services building is currentlylocated on the site. The agency is expected to relocate by July 1,2001. The Freedom Forum will tear down the existing building andbreak ground for a new development by the end of 2001.

The Freedom Forum/Newseum development will include the Newseum,the organizations's headquarters, a international conferencecenter, a restaurant and retail facilities and approximately 100condominiums. The 476,000 sf project will allow the Newseum to morethan double its size.

As part of its bid for the site in July 2000, the Freedom Forumoffered the District government $25 million to be used at itsdiscretion for low- and moderate-income housing, contingent on thetransaction being completed by the end of 2000. The $25-milliongrant was paid Dec. 21. The law firm of Nixon Peabody providedlegal counsel in structuring the proposal, negotiating the dealterms and facilitating approval processes.