Demolition estimated at $835,000
Five months after the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) closed its doors for the last time at its Southbank location, the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) Board approved the demolition of its former building.
At the Jan. 21 board meeting, DIA Director of Operations Guy Parola shared an update with board members regarding the declined status of the vacated building following a recent tour of the building.
“What we didn’t find was a building that’s ready to be turned over to another user,” Parola said. “What we did find were roof leaks and deferred maintenance and things that, frankly, go with an older building.”
Parola cited a structural report that described the building’s roof in “poor condition” in several different sections and, ultimately, stated demolition was the appropriate path forward.
“Since this is a redevelopment parcel, it doesn’t really seem like a great idea to put
a band-aid on a building, just like you wouldn’t feed a dying animal,” Parola said.
When asked by DIA Board Vice Chair Sondra Fetner who was responsible for the building’s maintenance, Parola replied, “MOSH.”
Parola informed board members that demolition is estimated to cost $835,000, though DIA has allocated $875,000 to cover any additional and/or unexpected expenditures. Once the building is demolished, the parcel will serve as temporary overflow parking until the parcel is ready for redevelopment, and a notice of disposition can be issued.
Approval for the demolition did not have to go before the Jacksonville City Council, according to At-Large Group 4 City Councilmember Matt Carlucci. Carlucci said the new development would likely be a commercial mixed-use with, he hopes, dining.
“We’ve got the river – there should be as much riverfront dining as we can have without compromising our riverfront parks,” Carlucci said.
District 5 City Councilmember Joe Carlucci echoed those sentiments, writing in a text message, “The deferred maintenance and repairs were past the point of restoration. I believe we can have a viable option there that makes the riverfront space even better.”
As one building prepares to come down, updates were made on the future home of MOSH on the Northbank as the DIA Board and City Council both approved performance schedule changes for the incoming building. According to the new schedule, the construction commencement date is pushed back to Sept. 1 of this year with a new substantial completion date of Jan. 30, 2029. The legislation, approved by the council at its Jan. 27 meeting, also allows for the DIA Board to grant a six-month extension on these deadlines without council approval.
