With the approval of $6M for planning over the next two years, the Mesa City Council has launched what could be a $300M redevelopment of the Arizona Natural History Museum into a mixed-use economic development showcase.
Officials say the museum is not currently fulfilling its potential and have unveiled a concept that includes a redeveloped facility as the centerpiece of a mixed-use development that includes a boutique hotel and dining and retail amenities.
The updated facility is planned to increase tourism, private investment and employment opportunities.
The current facility is the largest city-owned natural history museum in the United States, drawing 175,000 visitors and generating $1.8M in revenue each year.
An analysis by Gallagher & Associates determined it could become much more, given Mesa’s pace of residential, tourism and general economic growth.
However, the current 66KSF facility cannot adequately handle more volume. The review said the current visitation level is only 7% of the area’s total potential audience.
The updated plan calls for tearing down the current structure and replacing it with a four-level, 118KSF building with a rooftop observatory and restaurant. A public-private partnership would deliver hotel space, restaurants, retail and commercial spaces that would serve as a combined anchor for Mesa’s downtown core.
The overall development would total 288KSF and include 100KSF for the hotel, 70KSF of retail and restaurant and 10KSF of outdoor area in a new offering capable of handling between 515,000 and 630,000 visitors.
Officials with architectural firm Jones Studio described the architecture as being inspired by local and natural materials.
The multi-floor design is intended to convey passage through a 4.5-billion-year time span.
Gallagher representatives said surveys have shown strong public support for the redevelopment, as well as expanded programming for adult visitors while maintaining child-centric offerings.
Funding will be provided by a combination of City of Mesa bond funds, private investment and charitable donations. Fundraising consultants said every public dollar invested has the potential to attract two more dollars from the private sector.
The fundraising strategy is expected to be planned out over the next year. Staff is currently working out details about how the initial $6M in one-time revenues will be spent.
The next two years will have City staff and consultants develop the fundraising strategy and undertake architectural and site design work, including the conceptual cost estimate. (Source)
