27 Nov 2014
US$87m Sacramento science centre plans rest on bond decision
BY Tom Anstey
Sacramento City Council is currently considering whether to authorise a US$29m (€23.2m, £18.4m) bond to part-finance a new US$87m (€69.7m, £55.2m) science centre and planetarium.
The Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects masterplan for the new complex – which will include a renovation of a former power station – features eight interactive exhibit spaces, a new full-dome digital theatre, classrooms, a learning centre, discovery labs, an eco-roof, café with riverfront views and direct access by the American River Bike Trail.
The new design preserves the facade of the original 1912 Willis Polk-designed structure, while adding decidedly modern building elements as counterpoints. The project is hoping to gain LEED Platinum certification and will include several cutting-edge alternative energy demonstration features.
"This space is going to bring more children in and become a tourist destination,” said project manager for Sacramento, Rachel Hazlewood.
"I think if you look around the United States, every great city has a science center and they use it for tourism purposes, but also for educational purposes."
The council says US$20m (€16m, £12.7m) has already been raised from local government grants, local donors and corporations and if granted, the bonds would be issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority to be paid off by the science centre.
The second phase of the project will include the US$40m (€32m, £25.3m) renovation of the former PG&E building, further supported by a fee of US$350,000 (€280,000, £222,000) per year for 20 years from the City of Sacramento. The project is planned to break ground in 2015 and is expected to draw 320,000 visitors annually.
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