Detroit Science Center could close due to financial troubles

**mwilbert** · September-27-11, 10:58 AM

What usually kills museums is optimism. They take on debt to expand/improve, and then it turns out they can't generate the income and donations needed to pay the debt service. The Science Center did a big upgrade, and they also spent a bunch of money on the Accidental Mummies exhibit which they had hoped would earn money touring, but didn't. At the same time, the economy has reduced donations all over the non-profit world.

The good news is that the museum is there. Even if it ends up getting foreclosed on, it isn't likely to be converted to a different use. Some group [[or the same group) will figure out how to get it running again.

**Danny** · September-27-11, 11:46 AM

Years ago I proposal to my teachers of DPS Cody High School to provide a special field trip to the Detroit Science Center. The planned worked and students have a great time exploring the wonders of science.

DetroitPole · September-28-11, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by mwilbert

What usually kills museums is optimism. They take on debt to expand/improve, and then it turns out they can't generate the income and donations needed to pay the debt service. The Science Center did a big upgrade, and they also spent a bunch of money on the Accidental Mummies exhibit which they had hoped would earn money touring, but didn't. At the same time, the economy has reduced donations all over the non-profit world.

The good news is that the museum is there. Even if it ends up getting foreclosed on, it isn't likely to be converted to a different use. Some group [[or the same group) will figure out how to get it running again.

In the city, in my experience, the more likely, if not 99% of the time, fate for a foreclosed structure is that it will be stripped of anything of value and rendered useless virtually overnight.

Then enter George Jackson in to demo it. We could put up some girders like the Hudson's site. Then maybe one of his little peon friends can write about how great he is.

**JBMcB** · March-18-12, 11:43 AM

Any news on the science center? My son is itching to go to one and, while Cranbrook is nice and all, it didn't have nearly as many cool displays. I don't want to trek all the way down to Toledo...

**DetroitPlanner** · March-18-12, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

Any news on the science center? My son is itching to go to one and, while Cranbrook is nice and all, it didn't have nearly as many cool displays. I don't want to trek all the way down to Toledo...

There is no Science Center in Toledo that I am aware of. COSI has been long gone!

**JBMcB** · March-18-12, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

There is no Science Center in Toledo that I am aware of. COSI has been long gone!

They reopened it a couple of years ago, it's been renamed the Imagination Station. We went there a year ago - it was really nice, but a bit out of the way.

**Wesley Mouch** · March-18-12, 04:01 PM

Detroit does need a Science Center. From the experiences in the other cities like Toledo, it looks like they come and go. So they must be very difficult to keep running. Strong management appears essential. And it looks like the auto companies are going to see to that.

This is exactly what should be happening. Failing leadership and financial stewardship is going to be replaced. That's what happens when you fail. You get replaced.

GM failed. Their leadership and ownership was replaced [[to a great degree). Now they're becoming successful -- and investing in their community.

We're fortunate to live in a time when financial pressure are resulting in making our future more effective and efficient.

More of this, and we can have a prosperous, educated, and viable community.

**poobert** · March-19-12, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Detroit does need a Science Center. From the experiences in the other cities like Toledo, it looks like they come and go. So they must be very difficult to keep running. Strong management appears essential. And it looks like the auto companies are going to see to that.

This is exactly what should be happening. Failing leadership and financial stewardship is going to be replaced. That's what happens when you fail. You get replaced.

GM failed. Their leadership and ownership was replaced [[to a great degree). Now they're becoming successful -- and investing in their community.

We're fortunate to live in a time when financial pressure are resulting in making our future more effective and efficient.

More of this, and we can have a prosperous, educated, and viable community.

I agree that their leadership was poor and needed to be replaced, but they haven't been replaced. The institution doesn't exist anymore.

I don't think an indefinitely closed science center is the way to a prosperous, educated, and viable community. There appears to be no new news or movement on the science center.

The Children's Museum is still closed, too. What kind of message does this send to the world that as a REGION our Science Center, Children's Museum, and Aquarium remain closed?

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again - who the hell would want to raise a family in Metro Detroit? We have actually been planning a trip to Chicago to take the little one to the aquarium. Now isn't that pathetic? So my thinking is that the trip will become permanent. They have all three of those things that we don't give a shit about over there.

In the Lakeside Mall thread one of the folks from out there chimed in that the mall is a great place to go and spend some time. Not for me and my kid, buddy. Not on your life. I'm going to take my overeducated, young "yuppie" ass and my family the hell out of Dodge.

**davewindsor** · August-04-12, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Detroit does need a Science Center. From the experiences in the other cities like Toledo, it looks like they come and go. So they must be very difficult to keep running. Strong management appears essential. And it looks like the auto companies are going to see to that.

This is exactly what should be happening. Failing leadership and financial stewardship is going to be replaced. That's what happens when you fail. You get replaced.

GM failed. Their leadership and ownership was replaced [[to a great degree). Now they're becoming successful -- and investing in their community.

We're fortunate to live in a time when financial pressure are resulting in making our future more effective and efficient.

More of this, and we can have a prosperous, educated, and viable community.

Strong management is important, but even more important is proper marketing.

Reminds me of something I observed a week ago. I was in downtown Detroit Saturday July 28th. I drive to Greektown casino and see signs that say "Parking $40". I park at Greektown casino. I walk outside. Right by the Old Shelilah, there's a sign that says parking $40. I walk around some more and there's more signs that say parking $40. Then I see a bunch of parking lots with cars, tents, and lawn chairs all the way up to Comerica Park. Right outside of Comerica Park near the Ferris wheel people are lining up to buy Beer for $9.50. Yes, nine dollars and fifty sense. What's going on here?! Is this a strange dream? Apparently it's the Jimmy Buffet tailgate party invading half of downtown that's going on all day. You can go up to some of these people and ask them why they're spending $40 for a parking spot and sitting in front of their car with a lawn chair and they'll be saying it's the best $40 they've spent. IMO Jimmy Buffet's musical abilities are not compelling to me, but if he can get so many people to spend so much money in a broke city center like downtown Detroit, then that's damn good marketing. That's amazing marketing to get suburbanites to come to the city and do that. Probably something the managers at the Science Center and other institutions need to examine more closely and learn from.