I’ve talked to several people who attend the meeting that the University of West Florida held for the donors to the Maritime Museum. I think UWF officials thought that there would be a big uproar over moving the museum site to Main Street—-a move brought about because of a $13-million federal grant. There wasn’t an uproar. Most either like the new site (site B) better because its more visible to the street or just don’t care as long as UWF accepts the money and starts building asap.
UWF officials are claiming that while moving the museum to site B would have the land available sooner, they can’t move any quicker on the design. What?????????? The referendum passed three years ago and they can’t have the plans finalized in six months?
You would think that for $13-million somebody might be willing to work overtime to meet deadlines.
Popularity: 35% [?]
Who is going to insure the park?
“Has anyone crunched the numbers since the recent down turn in the economy to see if this project will work? I find it hard to believe that nobody envolved in this project has looked into this. How about a little investigative reporting and show us some numbers.”
There will be no crunching or investigative reporting on this subject.
Baldwin County is talking tax increases due to shortfalls, but the downturn in the ecomony and reduced assessments only affects “thriving” Alabama communities, not the Pcola.
Ross, Ross, Ross, you are so wrong on every point you tried to make it makes it difficult to refute them all. Let’s take this one:
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“I don’t understand how putting a university museum on the waterfront makes any economic, or educational, sense. Or why the university is remotely involved in chamber of commerce type activities?”
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First, it’s the State of Florida’s museum, UWF is a partner with them. It is a maritime museum for god’s sake, you are suggesting it go where, as far away from the water as possible? The museum will also house a research facility for underwater archaeology, again you suggest this should go in a land locked location? Research vessels will need to dock adjacent to the facility. As for Chamber of Commerce activities, are you kidding me? Do you even remotely know the importance of museums to educational researchers? Most major museums are not simply a bunch of artifacts gathering dust, most of them support research facilities and staff as will our maritime museum. One of the major attractions will be a 3-story aquarium that not only will serve as a public attraction but will be instrumental in training underwater archeology students.
When will people learn…..do NOT mess with Nancy Fetterman!!!!
I was at the BOT meeting. President Bense said that Ed Grey had changed his mind and that either Site-A or Site-B was fine with him as long as UWF gets construction underway in a timely fashion. It was revealed that Quint Studer was the only hold out among the major donors favoring Site-B for the museum but President Bense and BOT Chairman Clark said Studer would agree to Site-A if UWF modified the building plans to more closely fit the overall feel of the park. Nancy Fetterman made an impassioned plea to retain Site-A and pointed out that the Admiral had made many concessions already and that pushing the museum onto an inferior parcel would insult his memory. Mrs. Fetterman also pointed out that retail shops will come and go but the museum will be there for generations and is a more logical choice for the prime waterfront location. The Board then voted unanimously to retain Site-A.
Rick,
If my memory is correct there was a financial analysis presented to the citizens of Pensacola when the CMP was voted on some 4 years ago.I believe that analysis showed the project to only be marginally financial viable at best. Has anyone crunched the numbers since the recent down turn in the economy to see if this project will work? I find it hard to believe that nobody envolved in this project has looked into this. How about a little investigative reporting and show us some numbers.
GOOD FOR THEM! Don’t let the others kick you off the site you agreed to originally! Do not let those with checkbooks bully you around! Judy Bense just earned a ton of respect from me.
The UWF BOT voted to keep the original site. Statements forthcoming from Ed Grey and Quint Studer.
Great, now let’s get the dirt flyin’!
Pensacola has a 450 year history with the coast. This ‘museum’ will celebrate that – and bring visitors from throughout the U.S., much like the Naval Aviation Museum does.
It will provide a great deal of local history to children and adults.
It will be an economic boost to NW Florida.
It is largely funded by private donors. It is not funded by property taxes and is not taking money from Escambia County schools.
Ross Calloway:
Your most poignnat remark is “I don’t understand”… no sir, you do not understand and let’s just leave it at that.
Is there some information about this change somewhere, a link or something that is informative?
Its all water over the dam now but . . .
It seems odd that, given the nature of hurricanes in this area, a museum would be put anywhere near the water. Putting a zoo near the water in this area proved to not be a good idea.
With education costs continuing to rise, while other economic indicators continue to fall, I don’t understand how putting a university museum on the waterfront makes any economic, or educational, sense. Or why the university is remotely involved in chamber of commerce type activities?
The only explanation I can figure is that BIG EDUCATION and its supporters are drunk on taxing power and ego building instead of putting taxpayer money where the students are. Oh, and maybe putting the museum where the artifacts are. Making an attempt at cutting costs, or at least reducing the increase of costs of education, appears low on the priority list.
I think you all are jumping the gun. The UWF Board of Trustees will decide up or down at their meeting today (Friday). Word is they have already decided to accept the money and the new location and for what it’s worth I spoke to the Chairman about this personally and he assured me that the board will vote yes. I don’t know how this runor got started but it’s simply not true.
They lured UWF with a big name, who left the area, that folks would support and added Admiral Fetterman and Whibbs name for good measure.
Sorry, but I can’t get there from here.
Adding another museum no matter whose name it bears will not save us.
How many have visited the TT Wentworth Museum or either of the two art museums across the street this year?
Anonly:
I don’t think UWF getting $13-million is a loss. If UWF doesn’t need the money, then fine.
They were promised site A and are now being shoved off to site B. Who really loses here? Rick, you’d have us see them as the “bad guys”. Please.
It is not costing $13 million to design it. At least I hope not.
BTW, what firm has the design contract?
See related post on my blog: http://pensacolad2.blogspot.com. The title of the post is From Anonymous.
This discussion of “moving” the museum has been going on for months…..and not due to the current reasons.