The Museum of Science & History now has the property it needs to build a new facility at the Shipyards on the Northbank.
The Jacksonville City Council on April 11 approved Ordinance 2023-184, a deal between the Downtown Investment Authority and MOSH that includes a 40-year ground lease at $1 per year.
The 2½-acre site is part of 6.86 acres on the west bank of Hogans Creek where it meets the St. Johns River.
It is along Bay Street at the end of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard south of Intuition Ale Works, the new Doro apartment development and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
In exchange, the nonprofit MOSH will complete an $85 million museum facility by Dec. 31, 2027.
MOSH announced in October 2020 it plans to relocate from 1025 Museum Circle on the Downtown Southbank, its location since 1969.
The deal allows MOSH to build a facility as small as 75,000 square feet, but MOSH CEO Bruce Fafard said the museum is committed to the larger space.
Plans for the new building comprise about 100,000 square feet among three floors, with the option to add 30,000 square feet.
The city will reimburse MOSH up to $800,000 for park design costs and will pay for the extension of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and utilities to the site.
