Renderings: MOSH Genesis

[Charles Hunter]

WJCT story about MOSH, with renderings in the article: https://news.wjct.org/first-coast/2022-12-21/mosh-museum-northbank-renderings

The primary goal of the MOSH Genesis plan, in association with the New York City-based Local Projects design lab, is to create an experience "unlike anything else in Jacksonville" and be a source of pride, MOSH CEO Bruce Fafard told WJCT News on Wednesday. Now a major step has been made toward its proposed 2026 opening, leaving Fafard "very appreciative" of all the efforts to get this far.

...

It named the concept MOSH Genesis, saying the exterior design was inspired by the flow of water that has played such an important role in Jacksonville's history. And it initially listed an $85 million price tag for the new museum when the DIA board supported the land lease a year ago.

After multiple meetings with the DIA, the city's chief resiliency officer and recreation and public works staff, now comes early 2023's dedicated fundraising phase to raise the estimated $100 million cost. That is higher than the initial estimate due to inflation and supply chain issues, Fafard said.

[jaxlongtimer]

Mystery solved per below?  Not sure it doesn't beget more questions.  54,000 sf of gallery space to start.  What is the starting gross space? Is it reasonable to expect increasing to 130,000 sf by 2027 when phase 1 will be lucky to be open by end of 2024.  The "future expansion" foot print shown in the site drawing doesn't look all that big but I assume that brings the building to the 130,000 sf at some point if it is at least 2 floors.

Also, where is the parking for visitors going to be?

....The nonprofit's presentation included conceptual renderings submitted by MOSH and landscape architecture firm SCAPE showing 16,200 square feet of gallery space, an education suite and a public cafe terrace on the first floor.

The cafe would face Bay Street.

The second level would have 37,800 square feet of gallery and exhibit space as well as a theater that Fafard said is a planetarium.

The rooftop would have an event terrace facing Hogans Creek and the St. Johns River that Fafard said would be about 2,000 square feet.

The renderings also show an area where MOSH will keep habitat for rescue animals used in its educational programming named the Hixon Florida Naturalist Exhibit.

The outdoor space would have a discovery path leading from Bay Street to the main entrance, a "lookout lawn" and the St. Johns Porch facing the park, Riverwalk and the St. Johns River....

....n January, the DIA board and MOSH reached an agreement for a 40-year ground lease at $1 per year for 2½ acres of city-owned Shipyards property.

As part of the lease, MOSH has the option to design the entire 6.8-acre site and the city will reimburse the nonprofit up to $800,000 in costs.....

In exchange, Fafard said MOSH would complete an estimated $85 million, 130,000-square-foot museum facility by Dec. 31, 2027.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/dia-board-oks-mosh-shipyards-site-plan-jacksonville-childrens-chorus-loan

[thelakelander]

Parking is under the building. No phase of the building will be open by 2024. The 130,000 square foot building is expected to be completed by 2027.

[thelakelander]

MOSH Genesis exhibit design plan announced



The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) recently announced completion of exhibit design plan for its MOSH Genesis Project. The comprehensive plan, developed in partnership with Local Projects, reflects input from subject matter experts across Northeast Florida.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/mosh-genesis-exhibit-design-plan-announced/

[thelakelander]

Here's the parking floor plan:

[Josh]

I hope the current MOSH's permanent exhibit on the history of Jax can end up preserved somewhere in town, in some capacity.

[Ken_FSU]

I hope the current MOSH's permanent exhibit on the history of Jax can end up preserved somewhere in town, in some capacity.

With MOSH Genesis focusing so heavily on science, ecology, and culture, I wish there was a way to transform the existing space on the Southbank into a purely historical museum, with a strong focus on civil rights. Would be a good compromise for some of the confederate monuments as well (e.g. instead of displaying them in a celebratory fashion in public squares, present them in a museum alongside the full, proper historical context behind them). Would also integrate well with the historical features planned for St. Johns Park, as well as the renovated fountain and Related's restaurant on the park.

[thelakelander]

The current MOSH building should definitely be repurposed into another museum or cultural space.

[jaxlongtimer]

The current MOSH building should definitely be repurposed into another museum or cultural space.

As a history museum, in addition to civil rights, it could include specialized exhibits on Native Americans, railroads, ships, the military, finance and business, music, famous persons from here, architecture, sports, agriculture, the natural environment and so much more.  As I think this out, I wonder if it all could fit in that building  .

[Ken_FSU]

The current MOSH building should definitely be repurposed into another museum or cultural space.

As a history museum, in addition to civil rights, it could include specialized exhibits on Native Americans, railroads, ships, the military, finance and business, music, famous persons from here, architecture, sports, agriculture, the natural environment and so much more.  As I think this out, I wonder if it all could fit in that building  .

I kind of dig the idea of having a series of museums positioned on or near the Riverwalk.

We've already got the following in the works:

1) MOSH Genesis (Shipyards)
2) Music Museum (Casket Factory near the Arena)
3) USS Orleck & Naval Museum (planned near the Orleck at Shipyards West)
4) Fire Museum (also moved to Shipyards West)

Toss in a proper history museum at the site of the old MOSH, a sports museum somewhere along the river, and find a way to package together a single ticket, and you've got a pretty compelling reason to travel most of the riverwalk and make a day or two of learning about the city. You've even got the historical aspects of the planned nodes at the Times-Union Center, St. Johns Park, etc. to serve as connective tissue between the proper museums.