New 'No Wasted Space Act' Creates Fast-Track Commission to Revive the National Mall’s Iconic Arts and Industries Building

The 'No Wasted Space Act' sets up a nine-member commission tasked with a single mission: figure out what to do with the historic Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall. Within 45 days of the bill becoming law, congressional leaders and the Smithsonian must appoint experts in urban planning, tourism, and museum management to a group that has exactly one year to deliver a survival plan for the site. This isn't just a brainstorming session; the bill requires a concrete report on everything from the cost of modernizing the building to how it could house museums that aren't currently on the Mall or even provide space for federal tenants displaced by office relocations.

The Search for a New Identity

Under Section 3, the commission has to look at who is actually winning the attention of families visiting DC and figure out if those successful models can be imported to this historic space. This could mean your next family trip includes a high-tech museum or an educational center that currently sits in a less accessible part of the city. The bill specifically asks the commission to consider DC-based museums that aren't part of the Smithsonian family and cultural institutions currently lacking a 'front-row' seat on the National Mall. They are even tasked with coming up with a new name for the building, signaling a total rebrand of the space.

Paying the Tab Without Taxpayer Dollars

One of the most interesting parts of this bill is the focus on the 'check.' Section 3 mandates a fundraising plan that explores whether the building can pay for its own upkeep through public contributions and—here is the part that hits your wallet—the possibility of charging admission fees. While most Smithsonian museums are free, this bill asks the commission to see if the Arts and Industries Building can survive permanently without relying on federal appropriations. For the average visitor, this could mean the difference between a free afternoon and a ticketed experience, similar to how some private museums operate nearby.

Moving Fast and Staying Independent

To keep things moving, Section 4 allows the commission to start working even before every single member is appointed, as long as 90 days have passed and they have a majority. Interestingly, the bill bars any current federal employees from serving on the commission, aiming for an outside-the-bubble perspective. While the members aren't paid a salary, they can hire an executive director and staff to handle the heavy lifting. The group is also authorized to accept private gifts and money directly to fund their study, which keeps the immediate cost off the taxpayer but does raise the question of whether large donors might have an outsized say in what the final recommendations look like.