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!