Norton Pushing for Better Access to the CVC, One of the City's Newest Tourists Attractions (3/4/09)

Norton Pushing for Better Access to the CVC, One of the City's Newest Tourist Attractions

March 4, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC - The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today scheduled a meeting with Beth Plemmons, Director of Capitol Guide Services, Architect of the Capitol (AOC), concerning "an unworkably rigid system," set up by the AOC for tours of the new $600 million Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). Norton, whose subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, held hearings to prepare for millions of new visitors to the CVC, said she was especially concerned that there was so little flexibility that even staff of Members of Congress reportedly had been banned from taking constituents and family to see various portions of the Capitol, including the CVC.

Norton, who was a champion of the CVC, which enhances tourism in the District, said she believes that the CVC may be facing unprecedented numbers for its tours and that their system apparently does accommodate thousands of visitors at one time with very little wait. At the same time, Norton said that reports of people having to wait in the Cannon tunnel for hours before being admitted into the Capitol show the need for a fresh look and that things could get worse with peak spring Cherry Blossoms coming. The AOC anticipated and established a system of advance reservations, but apparently, has resisted the needed flexibility to change with changing conditions. The huge increase in space to be covered by the tours presents a difficult logistical challenge for the CVC, but Norton said, "with proper monitoring and flexibility, this challenge can be met."

In addition, Congresswoman Norton said that, "training for staffers goes well beyond the life safety and history training required by Congress and perhaps could be better using readable pamphlets or website materials." Most Members have the same small complement of staff of 10 or 11 on the Hill. Norton said, "few of us have two full days of staff time to spare." She noted that staff ethics training, which is more vital and far more complicated, requires only one hour of training.