We are pleased to announce that the Pratt Museum is taking the next step in our capital project as we near the conclusion of the conceptual design phase. The recent focus of the conceptual process involved the Pratt looking at whether renovating the existing building or building a new one would best serve community and Museum needs. For economic reasons and to best care for and share our collections, the Board has decided to support the new construction option. Responding to suggestions from the community, and recognizing that the existing building could serve other purposes, the Board also directed staff to examine the feasibility of repurposing the existing building. Primary reasons for the decision include:
Better conservation of and access to the collections. With a new building, collections storage, conservation space, and exhibit space will be designed to museum industry standards; we will gain more space through standard-height museum ceilings in addition to the square footage. Flexibility in operations and longer-term expansion potential to better serve the community. Museums are more dynamic than they used to be: We can create a place that responds to community needs with education and gathering spaces, use of new technology, and the ability to grow. Lower utility costs. The new construction option will be about 2,000 square feet less in area than the renovated and expanded building option would be, to achieve the same design goals, because of design efficiencies. New mechanical systems designed for the space should result in more efficient energy use and smaller relative costs. Longer overall building life. New construction is expected to last longer (50 years versus 30 years for renovation), resulting in a lower overall project cost. The conceptual phase of the capital project will be wrapped up this Spring; we expect to begin design later this year. This continues the process that was started nearly 10 years ago when the need for major upgrades to the Museum was recognized. The next few years will be busy ones, as we engage in the building design process and flesh out the plans for our 9.3-acre site. At the same time, the leadership gift phase of the fundraising effort will continue. The goal is to begin construction in 2014, depending on fundraising progress. Based on a 2009 fundraising feasibility study, the Pratt is working with an $8.5 million budget. Of this amount, $1.7 million has already been committed. We encourage you to engage in this process and share your ideas and comments as we proceed. Watch our website (www.prattmuseum.org) for updates and opportunities to participate as we move through the exciting planning and design process ahead.
More Information on the Project LINKS:
Building Condition Report | A complete survey of the condition of the museum building.Museum Exhibit Plan | Master exhibit plan that guides our future exhibit development. Accessibility Survey 2006 | Assessment of the current handicap accessibility of museum facilities.
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The success of this process relies on broad community involvement. If this project is something you’d like to be involved in, please contact us. Pratt Museum, Capital Campaign 3779 Bartlett Street Homer, Alaska 99603 Phone: 907 235-8635 Fax: 907-235-2764 Michele Miller, Director Of Development | Email. Capital project planning at the Pratt Museum is generously funded by the Patrons Of the Pratt Society, the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Rasmuson Foundation and the Foraker Group Pre-development program.