National Harbor - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (Fort Washington: Wal-mart, money)

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

This doesn't come as a surprise. I know they were struggling to raise money for a larger facility. Hopefully that will change once they move. Based on the reviews, they will also need to change their model to appeal to a larger demographic........On the flip side, what would you like to see going in that space



National Children’s Museum to leave National Harbor -- Gazette.Net

I don't know about this. I can't help but think there is other underlying reasons for them leaving. Did they really think the accessibility was going to change in a few years? The area has always been isolated since it's inception and any changes in transportation were not going to come anytime soon. This is me speculating but I think this has a lot to do with the casino. A casino given that it will likely be it's biggest draw, will not draw the type of clientele that they will need.

Not sure about that space being used for this but I was think the National Harbor should try to get in on this new trend of having a bounce house type place similar to this: Rebounderz |

These places are popping up more and more and it would be a unique attraction that the area does not have, could attract a lot of different demographics and still has something that is kind of along the 'fun' element that the museum had.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by justtitans

I don't know about this. I can't help but think there is other underlying reasons for them leaving. Did they really think the accessibility was going to change in a few years? The area has always been isolated since it's inception and any changes in transportation were not going to come anytime soon. This is me speculating but I think this has a lot to do with the casino. A casino given that it will likely be it's biggest draw, will not draw the type of clientele that they will need.

Not sure about that space being used for this but I was think the National Harbor should try to get in on this new trend of having a bounce house type place similar to this: Rebounderz |

These places are popping up more and more and it would be a unique attraction that the area does not have, could attract a lot of different demographics and still has something that is kind of along the 'fun' element that the museum had.

There may be...although I think not having the money to move the project to the build phase has a greater impact than the casino would. Remember Peterson was setting land aside for their project and they haven't been able to get it off the ground for the last 3 to 4 years. I am sure that Peterson was putting pressure on them to make some definitive moves towards jumpstarting their project. Although they stated it was a transportation issue, I am sure that their bigger issue was that most of their exhibits didn't appeal to kids above three. The bounce house idea sounds interesting I think that would be great in combination with an Aquarium restaurant (Aquarium Restaurants).

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Although they stated it was a transportation issue, I am sure that their bigger issue was that most of their exhibits didn't appeal to kids above three. The bounce house idea sounds interesting I think that would be great in combination with an Aquarium restaurant (Aquarium Restaurants).

I would say that it wasn't a transportation issue. If you go online to Yelp or TripAdvisor, the main complaint wasn't that people couldn't get to it, it was that it was too expensive for what was offered. On Tripadvisor, the complaint was that there weren't many exhibits for kids under three. but regardless, accessibility wasn't a main issue. People drive to the Baltimore Aquarium and don't complain about accessibility. A destination is a destination. Would mass transit be better? Of course. But not a deal breaker. They started too small for the price. I guess they were trying to make up the lost revenue or donation through ticket sales. And for what they offered, it wasn't good enough.

I like the idea of an aquarium restaurant. Especially since DC doesn't have an aquarium of it's own now that they one downtown closed.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

I would say that it wasn't a transportation issue. If you go online to Yelp or TripAdvisor, the main complaint wasn't that people couldn't get to it, it was that it was too expensive for what was offered. On Tripadvisor, the complaint was that there weren't many exhibits for kids under three. but regardless, accessibility wasn't a main issue. People drive to the Baltimore Aquarium and don't complain about accessibility. A destination is a destination. Would mass transit be better? Of course. But not a deal breaker. They started too small for the price. I guess they were trying to make up the lost revenue or donation through ticket sales. And for what they offered, it wasn't good enough.

I like the idea of an aquarium restaurant. Especially since DC doesn't have an aquarium of it's own now that they one downtown closed.

You make a good point with Baltimore as well as the price point. If they pursue the same model in DC they will get shut. Probably even faster than they would here since most DC museums are free and you need to bring something really fantastic if they have to pay for it. Yeah ever since I saw that type of restaurant, I thought that it would be ideal for the NH. The owners (Landry) already have M&S and Cadillac Ranch there. Adding the Aquarium theme restaurant to fill the family friendly gap and provide a permanent tourist attraction that appeals to kids up to 12yo. From what I have seen the average footprint for this type of restaurant is about 10,000 square feet so the empty space left by the children's museum could accommodate it with no problem

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

The owners (Landry) already have M&S and Cadillac Ranch there. Adding the Aquarium theme restaurant to fill the family friendly gap and provide a permanent tourist attraction that appeals to kids up to 12yo. From what I have seen the average footprint for this type of restaurant is about 10,000 square feet so the empty space left by the children's museum could accommodate it with no problem

Great! Shoot both Peterson and Landry an email. They don't ever respond to me. lol They should have a suggestion box.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Great! Shoot both Peterson and Landry an email. They don't ever respond to me. lol They should have a suggestion box.

I just did

[adelphi_sky]

Sweet! I do get responses from UMD's development office and local council members. Which is pretty cool.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Sweet! I do get responses from UMD's development office and local council members. Which is pretty cool.

You just gave me a good idea. I am going to forward it to the reps for our area

[Sampg1]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

I would say that it wasn't a transportation issue. If you go online to Yelp or TripAdvisor, the main complaint wasn't that people couldn't get to it, it was that it was too expensive for what was offered. On Tripadvisor, the complaint was that there weren't many exhibits for kids under three. but regardless, accessibility wasn't a main issue. People drive to the Baltimore Aquarium and don't complain about accessibility. A destination is a destination. Would mass transit be better? Of course. But not a deal breaker. They started too small for the price. I guess they were trying to make up the lost revenue or donation through ticket sales. And for what they offered, it wasn't good enough.

I like the idea of an aquarium restaurant. Especially since DC doesn't have an aquarium of it's own now that they one downtown closed.

If the issue is transportation, lack of future expansion space and cost, then PG county has a lot of metro station and plenty of space for future expansion and costs way more less than DC to ... , so why not stay in PG.
I wonder if PG officials try to some extent to keep National Children Museum in PG

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by Sampg1

If the issue is transportation, lack of future expansion space and cost, then PG county has a lot of metro station and plenty of space for future expansion and costs way more less than DC to ... , so why not stay in PG.
I wonder if PG officials try to some extent to keep National Children Museum in PG

the article mentioned downtown DC. So, I think PG is out of it at this point. There is a development in Ft. Totten that has space for a children's museum. I'm not sure if the Cafritz family has an operator lined up already or if they would be open to allowing the NCM take that space.

I agree that if they have financial issues, trying to locate in prime real estate in downtown DC near a metro may be out of reach. Especially if they are looking for space larger than 18,000 sqft.