Discovery Center in T.O. would cost $49 million
By Nancy Needham   nancy@theacorn.com

Artist's schematic of the Discovery Center

For an estimated $49 million a Discovery Center for Science and Technology can be built and equipped to enrich the lives of more than 1 million children, families and educators.

That was the plan presented to the City Council last Tuesday night by Wayne Davey, president of the Discovery Center, a nonprofit group organized to create excitement about science education while promoting curiosity, exploration and discovery.

The new structure's concept was presented during the City Council meeting in which council members unanimously voted to authorize a feasibility study to build a 70,000-square-foot structure next to the Civic Arts Plaza. If it proceeds, the Civic Arts Plaza might get a new name
--the Civic Arts and Science Plaza.

The structure would attach to the Civic Arts Plaza. Its emphasis would encourage children and adults to think about science in new ways. It's expected to feature state-of-the-art programs in its classrooms, workshops, theater and exhibits to promote learning and enthusiasm for science and technology.

The Civic Arts Plaza was said to have been the canvas for the proposed building's design. The unusual shape was said to have been created as a form of art that's compatible with the mountains around it. The building will be made of glass and steel. It was conceived as something with a timeless design that's innovative to protect itself from heat during the day and be transparent at night.

The proposed structure would include an 8,000-square-foot theater and planetarium, a 25,000-square-foot permanent exhibition area and 15,000 square feet for traveling and temporary exhibits. Areas for a lobby, special events, retail operations, food, classrooms and workshops are also planned. A 200-space parking structure is planned to go underneath the facility, but not underground. The Discovery Center would be on top of it, Davey said.

The structure is expected to cost about $24.5 million. Exhibits are budgeted at $10.8 million. The theater and planetarium are expected to cost about $3.5 million, as are the initial staffing and other start-up costs. A $3.3-million two-story parking structure is also planned.

The center would require about 38 employees. Discovery Center officials hope it will add about $21 million to $23 million annually to the local economy.

"These are conservative assumptions throughout the business plan," Davey said.

This begins with about $900,000 prior to the city's approval with hopes of $5 million from city redevelopment funds, $5 million from bond issue and $1.5 million from green building rebates. An additional $18.4 million will be sought from federal, state and county funding sources. The group hopes to raise $8.5 million in corporate sponsorships and $4.5 million from individual donations. Revenue could also come from parking, memberships, programs and other fees.

After Davey made his presentation, the council voted 5 to 0 to proceed with the city staff's recommendation to contract with an independent consultant to conduct an analysis for feasibility of study. That study was described by staff as an intensive, objective look to evaluate funding, building, operations and programming of the center.

The study was estimated to take three or four months and would include at least two alternate proposals. Also under scrutiny would be a business plan for capital and start-up costs, potential naming rights and the study of economic impact of the Discovery Center on the city of T.O.