Expansion, development plans for Portland's OMSI, nearby land put on hold
By Steve Beaven, The Oregonian
March 22, 2010, 8:12PM
The project would create a community gathering place at OMSI's Southeast Portland home, with more than 1 million square feet of new development that would be worth up to $500 million. Museum officials planned to tour the state starting in 2009 to garner support for the expansion and sharpen its focus.
But then OMSI's revenue plunged, there were pay cuts and layoffs and the "listening tour" was scaled back. None of the money for the development has been raised and the massive expansion was put on hold.
"When the economy turned, it slowed down our planning and we focused on the core operations of the museum," Stueber said recently, adding that customer service and the quality of exhibits are priorities now.
Still, Stueber believes that raising money will be easier once the economy improves. She thinks the planned addition of light rail and streetcar stops near the site in the next few years will aid OMSI's development. And, she said, the expansion remains part of OMSI's long-range plans.
"I think it's going to happen eventually," Stueber said. "I just don't know the time frame."
The expansion project was designed, starting in 2006, to take advantage of the vacant land surrounding much of OMSI's riverfront home at 1945 S.E. Water Avenue.
The idea was to expand the museum and invite public and private developers to put up their own projects on OMSI's property. The museum's expansion, Stueber said, would be "a very small portion" of the entire development.
The focus of the projects would be sustainability, science education and workforce development.
When Stueber spoke publicly about the plan in November 2008, she added several caveats. The expansion was in the embryonic stage, she said, many of the details had not been ironed out and the half-billion-dollar price tag was not set in stone.
The project has not evolved much beyond that point.
But visitors on Monday said the addition of public transportation could make the museum a more attractive destination. Spring Break is one of the museum's busiest times of year.
"Today when I was driving around and couldn't find a place to park, I thought, 'Gosh, it sure would be nice to just hop on the train,'" said Shawna Shoemake, who lives in Clackamas County.
It's not unusual in such tough economic times for cultural organizations to retrench, said Christine D'Arcy, the executive director of the Oregon Cultural Trust. Fundraising is difficult, some arts organizations are furloughing employees and there are many empty seats at arts events.
In many cases, growth is not an option.
"In Portland, I can't think any facility expansion plans that are under way," she said.
OMSI has endured its own financial troubles.
After revenue rose to $27 million in 2008, it dropped to $18 million last year. In late 2008, the museum cut its budget by 10 percent and laid off 20 employees.
Thus, the future of OMSI's expansion plan depends on the future of the economy and how soon it bounces back, said Steve Cox, the chairman of the museum's board of directors.
There's also uncertainty about the project because it remains in the early stages, Cox said. The focus of the expansion may not be clear for several years.
"What it is today," Cox said, "could be different than it is five years from today."
-- Stephen Beaven
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