MOSH weighs relocating museum from its Southbank site in downtown Jacksonville

[thelakelander]

Sounds like a no.

[CityLife]

Virtually every major science museum in the United States either has a planetarium, an IMAX theater showing educational films, or an IMAX Dome/large-format dome theater. The few major (non specialty) museums that do not have one are typically in cities where you can find those in other museums like Chicago's, LA's, and San Fran's, which are either adjacent or very close to one.

I wasn't able to find a major science museum in Florida without one.

It would be insane for COJ to provide $50 million (plus free lease for 40 years) for a science museum without one.

[Ken_FSU]

For what it's worth, with the qualifier that a lot can change as value engineering is introduced, when MOSH went in front of the DIA with site plans a few years back, the second floor included a planetarium. The architect in charge of designs also notes a "new-and-improved space for the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium." (source: https://www.dlrgroup.com/firm-news/9077/)

I find it almost impossible to believe that the MOSH wouldn't consider this to be a non-negotiable for the new space. Cost-wise, it's under $5 million all-in, it would offer programming flexibility and monetization that isn't possible with other more rigid exhibits, and you've got to think that a planetarium would be one of the easiest things in the entire museum to offset the cost of with naming rights.

Then again, dumber things have happened in Jacksonville...

[Todd_Parker]

For what it's worth, with the qualifier that a lot can change as value engineering is introduced, when MOSH went in front of the DIA with site plans a few years back, the second floor included a planetarium. The architect in charge of designs also notes a "new-and-improved space for the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium." (source: https://www.dlrgroup.com/firm-news/9077/)

I find it almost impossible to believe that the MOSH wouldn't consider this to be a non-negotiable for the new space. Cost-wise, it's under $5 million all-in, it would offer programming flexibility and monetization that isn't possible with other more rigid exhibits, and you've got to think that a planetarium would be one of the easiest things in the entire museum to offset the cost of with naming rights.

Then again, dumber things have happened in Jacksonville...

Isn't the IMAX equipment/theater at the World Golf Village still sitting there unused? Any chance of importing that to the new MOSH as a cheaper alternative? Haven't read any recent new about new plans for the WGV IMAX site other than to turn it into a community theater/standard movie theater.

Would be able to recoup the cost just by programming a few weeks of Led Zeppelin Laser Light Shows.

[jaxoNOLE]

For what it's worth, with the qualifier that a lot can change as value engineering is introduced, when MOSH went in front of the DIA with site plans a few years back, the second floor included a planetarium. The architect in charge of designs also notes a "new-and-improved space for the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium." (source: https://www.dlrgroup.com/firm-news/9077/)

I find it almost impossible to believe that the MOSH wouldn't consider this to be a non-negotiable for the new space. Cost-wise, it's under $5 million all-in, it would offer programming flexibility and monetization that isn't possible with other more rigid exhibits, and you've got to think that a planetarium would be one of the easiest things in the entire museum to offset the cost of with naming rights.

Then again, dumber things have happened in Jacksonville...

The monetized IMAX/planetarium shows are very profitable. Going without this amenity would forego one of the sources of net profit most other museums use to subsidize the other fixed exhibits. Even the zoo has a 4D theater for incremental revenue!

[Ken_FSU]

Today is quietly a very big day for MOSH, and should tell us a lot about where the project stands. Under the six-month extension they were granted by the DIA, design plans have to be submitted to the City by tomorrow, or else the redevelopment agreement risks going into default.

As things stand, MOSH is at just under $100 million raised, with $50 million in fundraising left to go. I'd expect a major capital campaign to begin in correlation with the release of the final design, but it's worth noting that less than $2,000 has been raised in the last quarter.

[fsu813]

They're hiring staff to assist with major gifts now, and I believe they plan to shoot for a more ambitious design than previously shown.

[Ken_FSU]

They're hiring staff to assist with major gifts now, and I believe they plan to shoot for a more ambitious design than previously shown.

Love to hear it, fingers crossed.

Does anyone know if they hit their August 1st deadline to submit new plans to the city?

[Joey Mackey]

I haven't heard anything, but there is a DIA Board meeting next Wednesday. Hopefully we get an update then. Here is a copy of the previous DIA extension. https://dia.jacksonville.gov/cms/getattachment/1b87493e-a70f-4002-a301-422023a68557/RESOLUTION-2026-03-05_MOSH-EXTENSION

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

Not sure what it means, but I drove by last week and they already had it fenced.

[CityLife]

Does anyone know if MOSH has an owners rep helping navigate them through the planning, engineering, design, and entitlement process?

I've done projects with numerous 501c3 type entities and generally they simply do not have the capacity or structure to actually pull off complex projects. Even with an owner's rep it is sometimes difficult to get everyone rowing in the same direction.

I did see online that MOSH has the CEO of Auld & White as Oversight Committee Chair. I'm sure he can bring a ton of free value to the project, but it's still not the same as having a paid Owner's Rep playing QB on the project.