NAC spokeswoman Jayne Watson told PlaybillArts that while Zukerman strongly believes the nation's capital needs a purpos- built concert hall, "plans are very preliminary and [the hall] might be 25 years away. We don't have any architectural drawings or plans yet. Part of our responsibility as an organization is to think long-term and assess our needs, so we have discussed on an informal basis what such a hall might look like. It would encompass Zukerman's vision for teaching and education."

Watson said it was too early to speculate about funding, but said that money would likely come from a combination of private and public funds.

Construction of a smaller, 925-seat hall is expected to begin this fall near Zukerman's proposed site.