Since FY 1995, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Center) has received nearly $203 million in fed. funds to complete capital projects, & intends to request an additional $43 million through FY 2008. The Center's Comprehensive Building Plan identifies these capital projects as necessary to renovate the center & meet or exceed relevant life safety & disabled access regulations. This report examines: (1) the progress the Center has made in completing key capital projects within estimated costs, & how it communicated this progress; (2) the current status of the Center regarding fire & life safety & disabled access requirements; & (3) what best practices could help the center improve planning & mgmt. of capital projects. Illus.

Since fiscal year 1995, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center) has received nearly $203 million in federal funds to complete capital projects and intends to request an additional $43 million in appropriations through fiscal year 2008. The Kennedy Center's Comprehensive Building Plan identifies these capital projects as necessary to renovate the center and meet or exceed relevant life safety and disabled access regulations. GAO was asked to examine (1) the progress the center has made in completing key capital projects within estimated costs, and how it communicated this progress; (2) the current status of the center regarding fire and life safety and disabled access requirements; and (3) what best practices could help the center improve planning and management of capital projects.

GAO-05-334 Kennedy Center: Stronger Oversight of Fire Safety Issues, Construction Projects, and Financial Management Needed