A fresh start for Tampa museum
A Times EditorialPublished April 1, 2005
Now that the plan for a new Tampa Museum of Art is officially dead, the city and the arts community should come up with an alternative that enjoys broader public support. The $76-million design that officials walked away from Tuesday was more than unaffordable; its architecture and financing plan polarized the community.
Starting over gives Mayor Pam Iorio the chance to show stronger leadership. She was right to insist that the museum secure most of the costs for construction and operations. The city's $30-million commitment for construction, and $2-million annually for operating costs, should be ample seed money if private support for the museum exists. Donors should realize a new design is less important than what's inside. A less expensive, if smaller, facility still can make a grand architectural statement, contribute to the attraction of living downtown and make Tampa a more appealing place to visit and do business.
A fresh start also is an opportunity to better plan the use of the downtown riverfront. During four years of planning, what was supposed to be a waterfront park adjacent to the museum slowly morphed into a concrete jungle that would have largely blocked the water from view. If Iorio is adamant about pairing the new facility with a children's museum, she should consider a site away from the water. One of the city's biggest mistakes historically is that it built along the riverfront. This is a chance to claim a chunk back.
Above all, the city and the museum should not waste time playing the blame-game. Tampa needs a new museum, and finger-pointing will only hurt fundraising and jeopardize the city's long-term commitment. The museum should have learned an important lesson that large and complex deals with the city should not be dropped on policymakers at the eleventh hour. While the city begins discussions on a new design, the museum should craft a plan for boosting its operating endowment. It also needs to clarify its artistic mission. And it shouldn't take four more years.