$80 million plan revealed to renovate, expand MOSH

Leaders from the Museum of Science and History announced plans Friday to expand and renovate the campus and capacity of the museum.

Renderings provided by the Museum of Science and History, show what the new and improved museum could soon look like, but first they’ll need to come up with $80 million.

Museum leadership is confident they’ll have the backing they need and when it’s completed. MOSH President Maria Hane believes it’ll be a must-see attraction in Jacksonville.

“The expansion is going to be transformational. It’s transformational for the museum, it’s transformational for the city, for downtown,” said Hane. “It’s a very iconic presence, a visual presence. If you notice now we’re sort of a shadow on this entire site.”

According to the announcement, the plans include an expansion of the museum's square footage from 77,000 feet to 120,000 feet.

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The renovation will reorient the entrance toward the St. Johns River, enhance the capacity for new exhibits, installations, programs, educational alignment and immersive experiences that will have new and emerging technologies.

PHOTOS: Expansions and renovation plans of MOSH2.0 

More improvements will include a cafe in the park, a rooftop conference center, event space and innovation labs.

Exhibition areas will increase by 200%, according to the announcement, and will showcase Northeast Florida's cultural, natural and innovation ecosystems. This will include interactive displays and will integrate an indoor and outdoor setting between the museum, St. Johns River Park, Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk.

Hane said that it's important to have a zero to five early STEM learning center.

Karen Anderson, who visited MOSH Friday with her great niece, said this is something Jacksonville needs.

“I think it sounds very exciting. It’s a great vision for downtown Jacksonville and for really the whole area of northeast Florida,” said Anderson.

The next step is to raise the money which Hane said will come from a combination of public and private partnerships.

The hope is to open MOSH 2.0 in 2023.

For more information, click here. 

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