MOSH weighs relocating museum from its Southbank site in downtown Jacksonville

[Jagsdrew]

Just another thought is that having the exhibit spaces for daytime activities and probably that top level is a flex space for meetings/weddings etc. to help drive revenue.

[fsu813]

New renders in the meantime....

https://www.themosh.org/2026-09-01/new-exterior-renderings-following-60-percent-design-schematics-milestone

As always, without shade, no one will want to be outside in the huge outdoor space shown (top image) for literally half the year. Shade is a requirement to fully use spaces now, not a possible add-on. The sooner Jax planners, designers, and officials realize this, the sooner the public will be able to actually use the amenities we're paying for. For example, the new music riverfront park is woefully/noticeably short on shade, and thus it's short on usage, as well.

Thankfully, these can be relatively cheap fixes. Unfortunately, trees grow slowly.

[Ken_FSU]

As always, without shade, no one will want to be outside in the huge outdoor space shown (top image) for literally half the year. Shade is a requirement to fully use spaces now, not a possible add-on. The sooner Jax planners, designers, and officials realize this, the sooner the public will be able to actually use the amenities we're paying for. For example, the new music riverfront park is woefully/noticeably short on shade, and thus it's short on usage, as well.

Thankfully, these can be relatively cheap fixes. Unfortunately, trees grow slowly.

Interesting you mention this. I had a little time between meetings last week and decided to grab some food and have lunch in Riverfront Plaza/Music Heritage Park. If there is shade, I could not find it. Every seat is just baking in blinding sunlight. Some shade trees would do wonders in that space.

[fsu813]

As always, without shade, no one will want to be outside in the huge outdoor space shown (top image) for literally half the year. Shade is a requirement to fully use spaces now, not a possible add-on. The sooner Jax planners, designers, and officials realize this, the sooner the public will be able to actually use the amenities we're paying for. For example, the new music riverfront park is woefully/noticeably short on shade, and thus it's short on usage, as well.

Thankfully, these can be relatively cheap fixes. Unfortunately, trees grow slowly.

Interesting you mention this. I had a little time between meetings last week and decided to grab some food and have lunch in Riverfront Plaza/Music Heritage Park. If there is shade, I could not find it. Every seat is just baking in blinding sunlight. Some shade trees would do wonders in that space.

There's a small number of people who oversee this issue, and they're not particularly open to feedback, in my experience.

[Jax_Developer]

So now that the notion of a NAVI vehicle dropping you off here seems to have passed, how are folks actually supposed to get to the MOSH? Are we expected to pay absurd city parking prices downtown & walk/scooter over?

The MOSH will end up having less than 100 parking spaces... this project has several glaring questions that have not been addressed once. And I just have to mention, our lovely parking agreement with the Jags... on any game day or large stadium function, these parking spots are (currently) completely unusable. That would be a minimum of 10 Sundays a year. Just saying...

[simms3]

This is the single worst looking design for something I have seen in a long time.  It's really sad that civic/philanthropic/non-profit leaders view this as cutting edge still.  Total crap.  Will not age well at all.

[LadyBugJax]

I surely hope they can raise the rest of the $50 million to get this project moving. It's the link between the Shipyards park and Four Seasons/Met Park from a riverwalk standpoint.  As of now it is not scheduled until 2029.

[Charles Hunter]

MOSH posted on Facebook today: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LUDAHbbLB/

$100 MILLION! We've officially surpassed $100 million toward our $150 million capital campaign goal, making this the largest cultural capital campaign in Jacksonville's history.
We're one step closer to bringing a new, premier cultural destination to the Northbank of the St. John's River in downtown Jacksonville. What's ahead? Five stories, 10 planned galleries, and 7+ acres of riverfront experiences.
https://www.themosh.org/2026-10-29/capital-campaign-surpasses-100-million

[Ken_FSU]

$100 MILLION! We've officially surpassed $100 million toward our $150 million capital campaign goal, making this the largest cultural capital campaign in Jacksonville's history.
We're one step closer to bringing a new, premier cultural destination to the Northbank of the St. John's River in downtown Jacksonville. What's ahead? Five stories, 10 planned galleries, and 7+ acres of riverfront experiences.
https://www.themosh.org/2026-10-29/capital-campaign-surpasses-100-million

I wish them well, but today's press release felt like smoke and mirrors. In Fall of 2024, MOSH had raised $93 million.*. 18 months ago, they were at $95 million.. Fundraising has moved at an absolutely glacial pace up until this point.

Meanwhile, their fundraising goal/scope has increased from $100 million in 2024, to $120 million in 2025, to $150 million in 2026.

We GOTTA get this one built, but I'm worried about where that extra $50 million comes from. City Council/Finance Committee has already told MOSH not to come back for anymore money after giving $50 million. The state only gave $5 million. The Khans, Davis's, Weavers, and big local corps like CSX & VyStar have already pledged. Not sure where that extra $50 million comes from.

[thelakelander]

What would a $100 million museum look like?

[jaxlongtimer]

$100 MILLION! We've officially surpassed $100 million toward our $150 million capital campaign goal, making this the largest cultural capital campaign in Jacksonville's history.
We're one step closer to bringing a new, premier cultural destination to the Northbank of the St. John's River in downtown Jacksonville. What's ahead? Five stories, 10 planned galleries, and 7+ acres of riverfront experiences.
https://www.themosh.org/2026-10-29/capital-campaign-surpasses-100-million

I wish them well, but today's press release felt like smoke and mirrors. In Fall of 2024, MOSH had raised $93 million.*. 18 months ago, they were at $95 million.. Fundraising has moved at an absolutely glacial pace up until this point.

Meanwhile, their fundraising goal/scope has increased from $100 million in 2024, to $120 million in 2025, to $150 million in 2026.

We GOTTA get this one built, but I'm worried about where that extra $50 million comes from. City Council/Finance Committee has already told MOSH not to come back for anymore money after giving $50 million. The state only gave $5 million. The Khans, Davis's, Weavers, and big local corps like CSX & VyStar have already pledged. Not sure where that extra $50 million comes from.

I wonder if they can make up any of the difference with debt?  For $50 million, would likely need at least $5 million/year in net operating cash flow to cover.  Can they do that?

Maybe they shell out the full building but don't finish out all the interiors/exhibits on day one?

[CityLife]

Agree with Ken that the announcement is smoke and mirrors. That said, there is one positive and that is that the naming rights have not been given up. COJ has to approve the naming rights. COJ did not approve them for a $10 million CSX donation, so assume that it will take at least $15 million, but ideally more like $20-25 million for the naming rights. Hopefully there is someone out there ready to be a hero with a big final donation. Of the $100 million raised, only $27 million is from individuals, families, and foundations. That is not promising.
 
From what I can see online, these are the big donors. There are some big names that have not contributed, so there is some hope.

City of Jax                     $50 million (also and additional $21 million for roads, land, utilities, and design)
CSX                           $10 million
State of Florida                $7.5 million   
Shad Khan and family           $5 million   
VyStar Credit Union           $2.5 million   
Davis family                   $1.5 million   
Lastinger family           $1.1 million   
Neviaser Foundation           $1 million   
Harden Family Foundation   $1 million   
The Players Championship   $1 million   
PNC Financial Services           $500,000

[Ken_FSU]

What would a $100 million museum look like?

We're so far along in design that I fear a $100 million museum essentially looks the same, minus all the exhibits.

Maybe they shell out the full building but don't finish out all the interiors/exhibits on day one?

In another city, yes. Jacksonville has such a terrible track record of finishing what we start though that I'd be terrified to trust this approach.

Agree with Ken that the announcement is smoke and mirrors. That said, there is one positive and that is that the naming rights have not been given up. COJ has to approve the naming rights. COJ did not approve them for a $10 million CSX donation, so assume that it will take at least $15 million, but ideally more like $20-25 million for the naming rights. Hopefully there is someone out there ready to be a hero with a big final donation. Of the $100 million raised, only $27 million is from individuals, families, and foundations. That is not promising.
 
From what I can see online, these are the big donors. There are some big names that have not contributed, so there is some hope.

City of Jax                    $50 million (also and additional $21 million for roads, land, utilities, and design)
CSX                            $10 million
State of Florida                $7.5 million   
Shad Khan and family            $5 million   
VyStar Credit Union            $2.5 million   
Davis family                    $1.5 million   
Lastinger family            $1.1 million   
Neviaser Foundation            $1 million   
Harden Family Foundation    $1 million   
The Players Championship    $1 million   
PNC Financial Services            $500,000

This is my hope as well.

The Weaver Planetarium, or Khan Planetarium, has a nice $10 million ring to it. Weavers have done enough, but what better way for the Khan to leave a lasting legacy to Jacksonville's youth than to play title naming sponsor to the museum's signature exhibit.

[fsu813]

What would a $100 million museum look like?

We're so far along in design that I fear a $100 million museum essentially looks the same, minus all the exhibits.

Maybe they shell out the full building but don't finish out all the interiors/exhibits on day one?

In another city, yes. Jacksonville has such a terrible track record of finishing what we start though that I'd be terrified to trust this approach.

Agree with Ken that the announcement is smoke and mirrors. That said, there is one positive and that is that the naming rights have not been given up. COJ has to approve the naming rights. COJ did not approve them for a $10 million CSX donation, so assume that it will take at least $15 million, but ideally more like $20-25 million for the naming rights. Hopefully there is someone out there ready to be a hero with a big final donation. Of the $100 million raised, only $27 million is from individuals, families, and foundations. That is not promising.
 
From what I can see online, these are the big donors. There are some big names that have not contributed, so there is some hope.

City of Jax                    $50 million (also and additional $21 million for roads, land, utilities, and design)
CSX                            $10 million
State of Florida                $7.5 million   
Shad Khan and family            $5 million   
VyStar Credit Union            $2.5 million   
Davis family                    $1.5 million   
Lastinger family            $1.1 million   
Neviaser Foundation            $1 million   
Harden Family Foundation    $1 million   
The Players Championship    $1 million   
PNC Financial Services            $500,000

This is my hope as well.

The Weaver Planetarium, or Khan Planetarium, has a nice $10 million ring to it. Weavers have done enough, but what better way for the Khan to leave a lasting legacy to Jacksonville's youth than to play title naming sponsor to the museum's signature exhibit.

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