In a move sure to make his bosses unhappy, Phil Luciano wrote a scathing column criticizing the city’s plans for a new downtown museum. He doesn’t think it will be much of a draw:
Think of it this way: Peoria is about the same size as Allentown, Pa.; Evansville, Ind.; and Waterbury, Conn. Would you pack up the kids, gas up the van and head to any of those places to drink in their rich history?
I think Phil makes a good point. But I don’t think having a downtown museum is the problem per se — it’s the scale of the project. Why is the whole Sears block going to be devoted to the museum? Isn’t that putting all our eggs in one basket? What happens if the city’s tourism projections don’t pan out? Aren’t we left with a multi-million dollar millstone?
This is why, as I’ve argued before, it would be better to make the museum square more densely developed, as all our handsomely-paid consultants have been telling the city for years. Add retail, restaurants, and especially a residential component. By including private development on that block, the city collects property and sales tax revenues to offset the costs of maintaining and managing a museum on part of that parcel.
Plus, if people are living, shopping, and eating down there, the block will be buzzing around the clock throughout the week and weekends. Without those components, the block after 5:00 and on weekends will look exactly as it does now before a single brick has been laid: a black hole.
In short, I think there is enough interest in Peoria and its history to support a museum, but not a “museum square.” Scale it back and allow private development.
C.J.,
I am a little upset with you. I have been saying this about the museum for quite some time! Anyway, I am afraid I agree with you. Luciano is a rabble-rouser and will say anything to ‘shake-up’ Peoria, but in this case he is right. I understand the economic issues surrounding the museum. $65 million for what kind of a return?
The issue is not all about money though. I have mentioned renovating an older building downtown, etc to serve as a Peo history museum. Many things can be done to save money. My question [and main concern] is will the new ‘museum’ do what a museum is supposed to do?
How many Peorians are aware of the fact that much, if not most of our history is collecting dust in the two Peo historical homes? Flan and Pent House [no pun intended], have remarkable collections that are wasting away, and have been for years and YEARS! Lakeview has NEVER taken an interest in these artifacts and never will! The B.M. Drakes and the rest of the movers behind this museum have no clue what is necessary for the PRESERVATION of Peoria’s history AND Material Culture. Economics, great architecture, whatever legacy aside, the real crime here is the complete lack of ethics that has permeated throughout Peoria where its true history is concerned. Does anyone remember Phil and his article concerning the painting?
SC
Developers and their investors want something to build. Build a crippled structure and you have an opportunity build again.
Peoria has some history, but not enough to justify that large of a museum. I hope Peoria adds plenty of interactive features to the musuem. I was at Rockford’s Discovery Center Museum (http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org) last fall and it was phenomenal. Peoria needs exhibits like theirs to build the repeat clientele needed to keep downtown restaurants and shops busy as well as to justify the construction expense.
A re-creation of Aiken Alley and a Willie York wing are all we need to bring the tourists in. I would add a Ray LaHood “looking through you” interaction room, as well. Wait… that would call for REAL interaction… and that doesn’t exist with Ray. Sorry.
*biting my tongue*
I have to agree with Luciano on this one — and you too CJ. This Lakeview will be a bust. The Lakeview guy has no experience building museums and is no architect. He should LISTEN to what Duany laid out or we’ll all be staring at that black hole for a generation.
I DO think, however, that Cat will make their portion pretty cool. But again, it needs to follow Duany’s vision for that block.
And alas for the past thirteen years, with Peoria leaders and their ‘Build and They Will Come Project$’ which have not performed as projected, I think we should just make our city slogan something like this:
Peoria, Home of the “Emperor’$ New Clothe$”.
Maybe go back and read an editorial by Mike Bailey of the JS dated 2/2/02 titled “Is Peoria on the right road? You do the math” and my blog “Status of Peoria” date 8/31/05 .
It is a complete waste of money. It will never make enough to pay for itself. The city would be better off letting it be developed in any fashion, no matter what turned up on the property – as long as the new development paid property taxes. Gee, wouldn’t that have been a great spot for an Embassy Suites hotel? Or, maybe the Embassy Suites would have been nice connected to the Civic Center? With apologies to Britney Spears; oops, Peoria did it again.