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Vision for Tampa's museum uncertain

It should be on the river. It should be near residences. It should be close to other activities. Everyone has a suggestion for the Museum of Art.

By SUSAN ASCHOFF
Published July 23, 2005

TAMPA - No one really likes where the Tampa Museum of Art now sits, pushed back from Ashley Drive, nearly invisible from the street, yet blocking views to the Hillsborough River. But now a plan to move it to the old federal courthouse is out.

So where should a cultural stepchild many envision as the future "crown jewel" of downtown Tampa go?

"The museum needs to go where it will work for both the city and the arts community," said Brooks Byrd of Byrd Corp., a St. Petersburg-based development firm. He is building two 30-story condo towers in the Channel District.

Arts groups, developers and the museum board say a location along the Hillsborough River is key.

Residents of new downtown condos "want to know when they go downstairs that there are things to do," Byrd said.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio wants to demolish the museum for a park, where all residents can gather, and flank the park with residential and commercial development.

"There's no reason why one side of that green space can't be the museum," said architect John Langley, producer of Tampa's annual Gala Corina art show.

Others suggest finding land between Ashley Drive and the Channelside entertainment district, to encourage locals and tourists to move from destination to destination.

And then there's Ybor City, which has historic buildings ready to welcome a museum with open shutters, said Tom Keating, president of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce.

"They're talking about being visionary, but they're not quite there yet," Keating said. He says Tampa's core is more important than the river around it.

But moving the museum even a short distance will change the "synergy of bringing arts and residential to the riverfront," Byrd said.

Kathy White, deputy director of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, expressed a similar sentiment. "Even one block or two blocks can make a difference," she said. "The closer you can be (to other activities) the better. You help each other."

The Dali Museum, which is moving from its waterfront location to escape the threat of flooding and an encroaching college campus, draws visitors from all over the world. Still, its new location closer to downtown restaurants, shopping and concerts will pull more people into the museum for special events and night hours, White said.

The Dali Museum is a destination because of its collection. The Tampa Museum of Art is not.

Some advocates say planners are thinking too small.

Demolish the current museum building, tear down the parking garage next door and create something amazing, urged Genie Farrell White, founder of Artists Unlimited Inc. in Tampa.

"It would be kind of be nice to have something classy right there on the river," White said. "Nothing has to be done tomorrow. But do it right."

Christine Burdick, president of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, said the repeated delays in deciding the museum's fate have been frustrating but could ultimately result in a positive outcome. The partnership is a liaison between business and government.

"Look at this as a big opportunity," she said. "We need a wonderful new art museum and we need to maximize the riverfront."

She said she thinks Tampa residents, including the mayor, can have everything they want if only the right design and political compromise can be found.

Langley, the architect, also looked to the future. "Tampa," he said, "is going to have to step up."

Times staff writer Sherri Day contributed to this report.

[Last modified July 23, 2005, 00:52:10]