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Tampa art museum squabbles a memory

Trustees accept the mayor's offer to relocate the facility to downtown Curtis Hixon Park near the Hillsborough River.

By LENNIE BENNETT
Published September 22, 2006

TAMPA - The Tampa Museum of Art has had three strikes in attempting to build a new museum during the past two years but it isn't out.

Wednesday, the board of trustees voted unanimously to accept a proposal by Mayor Pam Iorio to locate the facility in Curtis Hixon Park, a stretch of downtown land next to the Poe parking garage facing the Hillsborough River.

"I am really looking forward to moving ahead on this site," said Cornelia Corbett, board president.

Corbett said a committee will be selected immediately to generate a short list of architects who will be invited to submit proposals to design a building that will, Corbett said, "be a destination."

Of its move away from busy Ashley Drive, she said, "I'm not so worried about street presence. If we have a beautiful building, signage and good art, that will draw people."

The museum board and the mayor have sparred in the past over issues, but Corbett said the city will not be involved in the selection process for an architect.

"It's our the board's responsibility," she said.

Corbett also said the search for a permanent director, to replace interim director Ken Rollins, will begin immediately.

No budget or timetable has been set for a new building, but Corbett said plans will be under way "ASAP."

Lennie Bennett can be reached at (727) 893-8392 or lennie@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 22, 2006, 01:20:16]