Aquarium & Children's Museum for Downtown...

[blizz01]

...St. Augustine

An Orlando consultant on Monday presented the St. Augustine City Commission with a multi-million dollar plan to build a 250,000-gallon aquarium, a state-of-the-art children's museum, a botanical garden, shops and an aviary in a massive Riberia Pointe development.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/09/10/multi-million-dollar-aquarium.html

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-09-09/big-plans-riberia-property-includes-childrens-museum-and-aquarium

[thelakelander]

So who would pay for it?  At first I was thinking this was a real proposal.  Now I noticed it appears it was just presented by a consultant.

[blizz01]

Surprised that Ripley's Aquarium never broached the subject given the museum's longevity / (assumed) success in St. Augustine with the museum...

[Jason]

I love the idea but not so sure about the location.

Can't wait to hear more on this.

[wsansewjs]

Jacksonville's Old Ford Factory would be the MOST AMAZING PLACE to have the Jacksonville Aquarium.

[Jason]

Plans to build an adjacent aquarium and chilren's museum in St. Augustine are moving forward.

The coinciding projects of the Children's Museum of St. Johns and the St. Augustine Aquarium are a public-partnership with the city of St. Augustine proposed for Riberia Pointe with the intention of opening in 2015 in time for the 450th anniversary of the city's founding.

Projected to cost $6.3 million, the nonprofit museum will focus on interactive learning and play. It will highlight science, technology, engineering, art, math, history and culture.

In addition, the state-of-the-art facility will feature indoor and outdoor exhibit space. It is expected to attract at least 85,000 visitors during its first year and pump at least $1.9 million annually into the local economy, said Kim MacEwan, museum executive director.

Read the rest:  http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-01-25/story/aquarium-childrens-museum-projects-progressing-st-augustine

[Captain Zissou]

They aren't exactly complimenting uses, but it sounds like this will be right by The Ice Plant Distillery. Those will both be strong tourist draws once IP starts distilling and offering tours/ etc, and once the aquarium gets out of the ground.

[finehoe]

"The water component is another major factor. It would be an 8,000 square-foot aquarium with interactive touch tanks, water park and plaza. There would be a small outdoor amphitheater for 500 people and a wetland trail."

Isn't Marineland just up the road?

[Jason]

They aren't exactly complimenting uses, but it sounds like this will be right by The Ice Plant Distillery. Those will both be strong tourist draws once IP starts distilling and offering tours/ etc, and once the aquarium gets out of the ground.

It is actually a good distance from The Distillery at the end of Riberia on the point.

See here: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=29.874843,-81.309273&spn=0.003907,0.004823&t=h&z=18

The Distillery is here: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=29.889402,-81.318167&spn=0.001953,0.002411&t=h&z=19

[Jason]

"The water component is another major factor. It would be an 8,000 square-foot aquarium with interactive touch tanks, water park and plaza. There would be a small outdoor amphitheater for 500 people and a wetland trail."

Isn't Marineland just up the road?

Marineland is "down" the road.     The problem with Marineland is that it is way off the beaten path and as no other tourist draws around it.  This location/proposal has the backing of thousands of tourists already in town and has the potential to be linked with public transportation.

[blizz01]

It is actually a good distance from The Distillery at the end of Riberia on the point.

So, close to the new Wyndham?

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=20576.0

[Jason]

The Wyndham is slated to be built across the river from The Distillery (as the crow flies).

Here: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=29.888455,-81.323089&spn=0.001953,0.002411&t=h&z=19

[Jason]

City approves Riberia Point development fund

Posted: February 26, 2014 - 12:08am

By PETER GUINTA   
peter.guinta@staugustine.com


Acting as both a developer and partner to the Riberia Point project, the St. Augustine City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to spend $60,000 for professional services that would create its initial site, engineering, landscape, architecture and other planning.

City Manager John Regan said, "We're looking for something great for the property."

Proposed so far are a public park and public spaces, and the city's partnership with two private entities, a 2.1-acre, for-profit aquarium and a 2.4-acre children's museum.

Read the rest: http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2014-02-26/city-approves-riberia-point-development-fund#.Uw9_7RiYbGg

[Stephen]

Can we move Down Town Jacksonville to St.Augustine ?

[Overstreet]

Jacksonville's Old Ford Factory would be the MOST AMAZING PLACE to have the Jacksonville Aquarium.

I would be amazed it they built it there.