The museum partners unveiled the latest plans for Peoria Riverfront Museum at a news conference today. Are you ready? Here they are:
This is the view from Washington and Liberty Streets (above).
And this is an aerial view from above Washington Street (above).
Also, you can check out their slide presentation (in PDF format) by clicking here.
Museum officials were upbeat at the presentation, focusing on the positive. They explained that construction costs have risen at a much quicker rate than could have been anticipated based on historical data, and that’s the reason they’ve had to redesign the building. But, they were quick to add, they are not changing the museum-goer’s experience. The programming aspect of the museum has been maintained and, according to officials, even improved.
Lakeview Museum President Jim Richerson challenged those in attendance to not focus on the loss of square footage or various elements that have been eliminated, but rather “focus on what we’re gaining.” What we’re gaining, he said, was a more functional, efficient, and visitor-friendly museum with three times the space of the current Lakeview Museum.
The building facades are going to remain metal to blend with the “reflective quality” of the Illinois river. The 70-foot tall giant screen theater portion of the campus remains, as does the planetarium (though in a silo-shaped structure instead of the original design). The new footprint of the museum is bigger because all the exhibit space is on one floor now. The programming of the museum remains intact.
Officials are particularly proud of the the structure being what they call a “sustainable building.” They refer to its “green architecture,” its bioswales, and the fact that 90% of the material removed from the site has already been recycled (for example, used in the I-74 reconstruction).
The unique architecture of the building was held up as a compelling draw for tourists. Richerson stated “there is nothing cookie-cutter about it” and is “something we can be extremely proud of.” He also compared reaction to the plans with the initial reaction people had to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Museum officials believe that the structure has an “urban face” on the Washington side because it comes closer to the street than before and has the mass of the 70-foot-tall theater. But on the Water Street side, they’ve retained the plaza which “opens up and embraces the river.” Part of that plaza includes 15,000 square feet being reserved for future commercial/retail space. They’ve also lowered the elevation on the Water Street side to allow an additional entrance.
Not pictured above is a black cloud hanging over the museum: funding. Funding has stalled at $24.5 million according to officials, and it was stated that “these next six months will be absolutely critical” to getting some “momentum” in fundraising. One key part of that is the hope that the museum will qualify for New Market Tax Credits; they hope to hear something by the end of October or first part of November.
I want to know if this is still the postcard image they had been talking about.
What do we want? Urban Density! When do we want it? Now! I really wanted to start a demonstration when I was walking that block to get to the fireworks; unfortunately I have never had much riot grrl in me. It is pretty sad that they can’t even get enough contributors to pay to paint the plywood fence. I have a few ideas in mind, but I think they edit for content 🙂
Are they saying (a la Spinal Tap) that the project isn’t losing popularity… its appeal is just becoming more selective?
These buildings need some windows and the geometric cuts in the paths and green space needs to go- where did these architects get their degrees? ICC- no offense Frank- but come on. Richerson is a decent guy but Mark Johnson is so out of his league. No wonder the project is failing- did anyone take a look at what he wore to the press conference. Get a consult from GQ Mark.
need not needs – I wouldn’t want the editors to give me a demerit- so sorry
Just not even fundable (is there such a word) let alone sustainable in our community regardless of the construction merits. Halt — BeanCounter — you are right on with your comments. And we do need some type of action to stop the insanity. Yes, New Market Tax Credits — just another way to take money from our taxpayer pockets.
why don’t we just all send in our paychecks and social security checks and live on the taxes they take out. We’d be far ahead of the game if we did it that way. Then maybe we would get some of our money going in the right direction. I am all for having a beautiful, interpretive museum if we can afford it. Also, all of the other great projects that have been brought up in the past few years, but only if we can afford them. If we can’t afford a $500,000 house and the furniture and the cars to go with it we don’t buy it. So why are we doing this with the money from the city? After all it is our money not theirs. We need to get a whole lot more sense going on in this community on how and where to spend money.
Yeah, Eiffel Tower was the first thing that came to my mind……
I have and idea, lets just do nothing. Since there are still people, who more than 20 years later, are crying about the Civic Center lets tear it down, Gormans tap was such a big regional draw. Restore Eckwood Park-it was just packed with people all the time. The zoo needs to go back to just cages with iron bars, after all they are only animals. Once we stop all these projects and the tumble weeds start blowing around, Peoria can just bill it self as the Ghost Town of the Midwest. Won’t that be fun!
George – right on, looks like CAT needs to increase his salary a bunch if they expect him to be in front of the camera. Sure makes one pine for the days of Sir Henry W. Holling, now that man knew how to dress. It’ll just never be the same.
Arlene and everyone else: when this Museum idea first came about, all kinds of money was promised and imagined and it was an easy sell; when thinking people got involved, it wasn’t such a bright idea (someone asked the question “who in the hell is coming to Peoria to see a museum?” When realist people got involved, people began to think a little bit and monies vanished. We should again think this out and decide if this is the best use of this prime real estate.
Not exactly Roman. You see the museum folks keep changing the game board. There was lots of enthusiasm in the beginning because the plan presented was a great plan, that lived up to New Urbanist expectations, complete with retail, residential, walkable sidewalks etc…
Then some smarties decided to change the plan and the very idea itself. Is it any wonder several iteration later that the enthusiasm has wained? Lets face it, the donors DO NOT LIKE the ‘newer’ ideas. The public did like the original concept which would have easily supported a smaller concept of a museum without creating an eyesore.
Depends on what you are refering to. The original plan was more than 15 yeas ago. It’s changed so many times. It was supposed to open this year. Then next year. Then in 2009, now in 2010. They are trying to something to everyone and in the process, makes things difficult. It’ll be a good museum but it will always be measured against what could have been.
Why do I have the feeling that the riverfront is going to be turned into a clusterf*** that will be less enjoyable in the future than when it was a parking lot twenty years ago with just Steamboat Days? I’ve always hated those platforms which house Old Chicago and Joe’s Crab. Seems the riverfront should be more wide open. Maybe like the Flats in Cleveland.
“He also compared reaction to the plans with the initial reaction people had to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.”
I realize that this is the least important issue in the entire problem, but, um, the Gateway Arch and the Tour Eiffel are both big tall monument thingies, not, like, buildings.
Also, I will for the first time officially engage in inter-city envy whining:
MilWAUkee’s museum is a Calatrava. Why can’t WE have a Calatrava?
(Okay, and seriously? How did Milwaukee manage to get Calatrava’s first American commission?)
Arden: No the zoo should have been moved to Wildlife Prairie Park. Enlarging the zoo in an inner city setting where the lighting, noise and smell standards need to be at the Industrial level next to residential housing should have been enough for the city council to have voted it down. Then you have the wide scale destruction of how many vintage trees in Glen Oak Park? Ah yes, and I believe the original design for the zoo was to put it on an island in the lagoon?
RomanII — I agree with you — once the questions are asked — the answers do not match the far fetched proposals.
Answering Eyebrows:
They have beer.
Peoria doesn’t even have that anymore.
Thanks for reminding me of that.
Depressed.