Detroit Science Center could close due to financial troubles

[Wesley Mouch]

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.

You're right.

Detroit's not the place is you want to enjoy civic resources such as museums.

Detroit's one of the best places now for *opportunity*. If you wish, you have the chance to create a great Science Center -- or the best new aquarium [[in an old building if you wish). Those opportunities are available to you here. And not in Chicago.

The institutions of old are falling. Those who survive these times will be strong. And your over-educated children have the chance to create great things here. To participate. Or you can just go to Chicago and live the good life.

Your choice. Isn't that great!

[Danny]

Dan Gilbert, to the rescue!

[poobert]

You're right.

Detroit's not the place is you want to enjoy civic resources such as museums.

Detroit's one of the best places now for *opportunity*. If you wish, you have the chance to create a great Science Center -- or the best new aquarium [[in an old building if you wish). Those opportunities are available to you here. And not in Chicago.

The institutions of old are falling. Those who survive these times will be strong. And your over-educated children have the chance to create great things here. To participate. Or you can just go to Chicago and live the good life.

Your choice. Isn't that great!

I appriciate your optimism once again...

...but you know things are bad when you have to start your own Science Center to take your kid to the Science Center...

[JBMcB]

...but you know things are bad when you have to start your own Science Center to take your kid to the Science Center...

Cranbrook is pretty nice, but not that great for little kids - it's mostly for later elementary school kids. Preschoolers aren't into looking at rocks or displays about glacier formation.

The Ann Arbor hands-on museum is better, with a lot more hands-on stuff, but still not a whole lot for smaller kids.

The Imagination Station in Toledo is pretty nice, they have a big preschoolers area with kinetic sculptures, water tables, and ropes and pulleys to play with.

However, I just found out that COSI [[the I.S. in Toledo used to be an offshoot) in Columbus is one of the best science center / hands on museums for little kids - so we might do a weekend trip down there this summer. I've also wanted to check out their zoo, which is supposed to be one of the best in the country.

Until then, it looks like I'm heading over to Harbor Freight to buy some pulleys and rope, and improvising something in my back yard.

[JBMcB]

Looks like someone bought the Science center!

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...s-soon-as-fall

Sounds like a good guy - hopefully he'll get it back open soon.

[davewindsor]

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.

[Hermod]

Until then, it looks like I'm heading over to Harbor Freight to buy some pulleys and rope, and improvising something in my back yard.

Years go, the Dossin Maritime Museum had an excellent display with pulleys and rope. It was created when the museum was in the old schooner JT Wing at Belle Isle and they had the same display when they moved into a building in the city.

[Danny]

We might as well but the art millage vote for the Detroit Science Center! It's suffering its financial woes and it could close it doors for good. This city needs arts, science, research and math in order to have our younger generation develop better carreer from computers to space exploration here in the U.S.

Maybe I should ask the Wayne State University to buy the Detroit Science Center and keep it open for good.

[Detroitej72]

Looks like someone bought the Science center!

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...s-soon-as-fall

Sounds like a good guy - hopefully he'll get it back open soon.

This is great news on a number of accounts. First, Ron Weiser should be applauded for his civic minded action. By acting as a responsible citizen, he can save an important local institution from extinction. Second, with his background he was able to acquire the property and assets for less than was owed to the bank. This obviously will help a non-profit to reopen and run it.

I think by renaming it the Michigan Science Center it will kill off any propaganda & lies by opponents claiming any donations will go to subsidize the City of Detroit, like we're seeing with the DIA proposal. The fact that Weiser is a Republican certainly will help.