In case you have missed the continual dance of the Tampa Arts community, you have missed quite a show.
It started with Mayor Greco's vision of a building that was to be an art statement in itself - known as the Vinoly design. (After the designer that has a reputation for designing beautiful buildings, that tend to go way over budget) Unfortunately several things went wrong. The proposed cost to build was beyond the pocketbooks of the musuem supporters to build and to operate. And then, we elected a new mayor.
Mayor Iorio had a vision of a large riverfront park that could be open to all the people with festivals and large outdoor events. And in that vision, the idea of the riverfront Museum of Art did not really have a place. When she held the museum supporter's feet to the fire about the funds to build the Greco/Vinoly plan, the plan could not hold up to "fiscal responsibility."
She suggested a location in the beautiful old federal courthouse, but museum supporters did not like the idea (and frankly, it did not seem very doable)
Then with great fanfare a deal was made to put the museum in the popularly called beer can building (or Rivergate Tower) at the corner of Ashley and Kennedy. All seemed happy. UNTIL...
It seems that independent appraisers are not supporting the value of the deal made by the city. While the city can spend more than an appraisal if they select to, the issue of "fiscal responsibility" has to be raised to each elected official that would have to vote on such a motion.
So far the museum and the City has been silent on this new dilemma. We can't blame them.
The recent Art After Dark event shows that the museum can attract a diverse part of the Tampa community. But how much of their money should be spent on the Tampa Museum of Art ? Will the City Council be willing to spend more money for the museum that an appraisal supports ? What do you think ?
