The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, is further delaying a decision about whether or not to establish its first international satellite at the planned Olympicopolis cultural centre in east London. The secretary of the Smithsonian, David Skorton, says the trustees did not make a decision at the board’s meeting on 11 April because “we have not completed our due diligence”. The board must conduct a further review of capital and operating costs, programming and funding. There is growing frustration in London about the Smithsonian’s hesitation to commit. The project’s most enthusiastic UK backer, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, will be stepping down after the elections in the UK on 5 May. Although it is complicated for the federally funded Smithsonian to make such a crucial decision during a US presidential election year, a spokeswoman says Skorton remains “enthusiastic” about the project. A further announcement is expected before the Smithsonian’s next board meeting in June.
