Leonardo science museum impresses judges, scores bond
Derek P. Jensen, The Salt Lake Tribune, February 10, 2009
Salt Lake City's science project, riddled with misfires and mistakes, finally has won over the judges.
By a 6-0 straw poll, followed by a virtual receiving line of congratulations, the City Council on Tuesday agreed to solidify a stripped-down Leonardo by issuing a 5-year-old $10.2 million bond.
The money, first granted by voters in 2003, means the hulking concrete cube on Library Square immediately will be renovated into a science and culture center targeting a July 2010 opening.
"It's very satisfying,'" said Leonardo executive director Peter Giles, who joked in the hallway about popping the champagne. "We expect the community will begin to feel that confidence."
The bond for the old main library became a political football first hiked by former Mayor Rocky Anderson then tossed to the Ralph Becker administration. Becker nearly spiked the museum last year before granting a reprieve for an independent review. That report insists The Leonardo is "poised for success." It also says the remaining fundraising -- The Leonardo must raise $3.5 million in 16 months then $1.5 million each year for expenses -- "can be achieved."
"We did a complete analysis," said Becker, pledging to keep the city "at arms length" in a businesslike, landlord-tenant approach with the museum. The mayor praised the center's scaled-back business plan that still calls for a seismic upgrade and silver certification under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
The blueprint uses all three floors for interactive exhibits, workshops, classrooms, a catering service and a cafe. Up to 40 "road-tested" exhibits will be leased from San Francisco's Exploratorium, though Giles emphasized The Leonardo will not be a replica of that science museum. Instead, he says the character will be "very Utah," a homegrown hodgepodge that includes input from local companies, schools and artists.
"This is a hugely different proposal," said Councilman J.T. Martin. "It's not one built on 'I thinks' or 'I hopes.'"
Martin said the successful Body Worlds exhibit showed there is a thirst in the community for a science center, but he cautioned against connecting the dots between that high-profile show and an untested new museum. He also worried about the fallout if Giles departs.
But Councilman Luke Garrott challenged his colleagues and the mayor to fully support the museum even if they can't offer any more money.
"They need a symbolic partnership," he said. "It's time to really jump in."
Councilman Soren Simonsen, whose business partner sits on The Leonardo board, recused himself.
ALSO IN THIS EDITION:
Lehi city to lose three historic buildings - Cathy Allred, Daily Herald, January 29, 2009
It took 10 years, but Ogden man beats City Hall - Christopher Smart, The Salt Lake Tribune, February 1, 2009
Marsac Building hardly recognizable: Ahead of schedule and under budget - Jay Hamburger, Park Record, February 6, 2009
Museum wants new sign, higher profile - Jennifer W. Sanchez, The Salt Lake Tribune, February 5, 2009
HISTORIC BUILDINGS FOR SALE OR LEASE
ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE
SAVE THESE DATES FOR UHF EVENTS
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Utah's National Register is ONLINE!
Utah's National Register of Historic Places nominations have been digitized and are now online.
LOCAL ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION
Lehi city to lose three historic buildings - Cathy Allred, Daily Herald, January 29, 2009
It took 10 years, but Ogden man beats City Hall - Christopher Smart, The Salt Lake Tribune, February 1, 2009
Marsac Building hardly recognizable: Ahead of schedule and under budget - Jay Hamburger, Park Record, February 6, 2009
Museum wants new sign, higher profile - Jennifer W. Sanchez, The Salt Lake Tribune, February 5, 2009
HISTORIC BUILDINGS FOR SALE OR LEASE
(Click here for more information about listing in this section, or inquire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
If you have a historic property that you would like to post in our ENEWSletter, please contact us - 801 533.0858. Thanks.
ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE
New Deal architecture faces bulldozer - Tracie Rozhon, The New York Times, February 9, 2009
Center Stage: The new Alice Tully Hall bodes well for other Lincoln Center renovations - Paul Goldberger, The New Yorker, February 2, 2009
In Holy Name Cathedral fire, a clarion call to protect historic buildings - Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune, February 5, 2009
Historic steamboat to be riverfront hotel in Tennessee - Associated Press, International Herald Tribune, February 1, 2009
SAVE THESE DATES FOR UHF EVENTS
February 19
Lifestyle by Poliform Architecture Exhibit
With John Sugden, Utah's Modernist, Photography Exhibit
3016 South West Temple, Salt Lake City
5 pm - 9 pm, Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres
April 30 - May 2
Utah Preservation Conference
Modern Ideas | Historic Places
Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City
Traditional Building Skills Institute Workshops - Ephraim, UT
Visit their website for a full calendar.
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Modernism + the Recent Past - Why must we save places of the Modernist movement and the recent past?
Story of the Week
On Hold in San Francisco - How the Economic Crisis Has Stalled the Renovation of the City's Telephone Building
Therese Poletti, Jan. 30, 2009
Public Policy Weekly Bulletin
February 6, 2009, Vol. 4, Issue 5 - In this issue read about the struggle in the Senate to pass its version of an economic stimulus bill; the prospects for climate change bills in the House and Senate this session of Congress; the possible derailment of an omnibus public lands package containing key historic preservation authorization bills; and, the schedule for completing the nine remaining appropriations bills leftover from the 110th Congress.
January 30, 2009, Vol. 4, Issue 4 - The House passed an $816 billion economic stimulus package by a margin of
244-188 that did not include a single Republican member vote on January 28th. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) includes elements that track closely with the National Trust's proposed preservation stimulus package.
Seeking funds for planning your preservation project or to hire a consultant to get that project off the ground? Apply for a grant from the Utah Preservation Initiatives Fund (UPIF) by contacting Amy Cole at the National Trust for Historic Preservation at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (303) 623-1504. Grants are available in three rounds per year - February 1, June 1 and October 1 - and awarded on a competitive basis!
