MOSI moving to channelside? (Tampa, University: fit in, 2015, university)

[mrviking]

I really think this would be a great move for downtown and MOSI. Tourist will be downtown and people love to visit museums. Where it sits right now is not exactly an area that draws tourist. Plus this would be one more magnet for downtown growth.

MOSI may move to Vinik’s Channel District project | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune

[vaughanwilliams]

Sounds like a good idea. It's current location is kind of a dud.

[housingcrashsurvivor]

The site is actually good, directly across from USF and blocks away from Temple Terrace with lots of good housing, golf course, rec facilities, access to wilderness parks. Also excellent access for the commuter to highways and to rail that likely will link passenger service one day to downtown.

It's the museum that's a dud. I've been twice to take out of towners (once for a chocolate event) and see no reason to return. That site would make for an excellent tech park as mentioned in the article, bringing more and better jobs to the area. So the museum can serve as a downtown novelty for cruise line passengers. It's nothing that generates a great deal of jobs or good pay nor is it a catalyst for other larger employers but would fit in well with the aquarium downtown (which I like, that's a very good aquarium), the new riverwalk, the art museum: it's a good fit for that.

Jobs-wise, it's nothing to speak of. Here's the glassdoor on it....

Working at MOSI | Glassdoor

So no great loss if it moves but, rather, that could open up good development opportunities for the USF area.

And that also shows how areas can be transformed. There was another discussion on University Mall area. Well, here's an 80 acre site 30 blocks away which could be turned into yet another center for employment. As such things develop, as areas grow, people will need nearby places to live. So those types of things can be transformative and they can happen in unexpected leaps. One day a dying museum, the next day a vibrant tech park. Things change.

[EngGirl]

I thought there was sort of the same kids museum in downtown area already.
My opinion - existing MOSI location is just fine since it's on the way to Busch Gardens, visitors pass it anyways. The problem is - MOSI screams for renovations! Last time we went there with kids we notice how out of date most things were over there and the area for kid in separate building was gross and packed. So, I would bet the update/ better organization will make a different, not the change of location/

[MAniacTHW]

The Glazer Museum is at the complete opposite end of Downtown. As for MOSI itself, I can't see why both locations wont be viable options. I think MOSI should work a lot closer with USF and allow students the opportunity to run exhibits and such while there.

[PDF]

Sounds like a good idea. Anything to make Downtown more vibrant.

[Concert D Major]

It's a bad idea and will only add to the parking and traffic crisis.

[Tim Tim Tim]

I think its a good idea, it would give them the opportunity to start fresh and liven up the place a bit.. id love a good science museum to visit..

[PDF]

Originally Posted by Concert D Major

It's a bad idea and will only add to the parking and traffic crisis.

It's worth it, IMO.

[Beezwacks]

The location is fine for what it is...

Yea, the area around it (suitcase city and temple terrace) suck, but there is no way they could afford to have that much space downtown...