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Thinking Out Loud

The Science Center bonds

The Natural Science Center bonds have taken a back seat thus far to the mayoral and City Council races.

But as the proponents of the center’s expansion gear up their campaign, expect the dialogue to warm up as well.

What we’re talking here is $20 million for an 26,000-square-foot aquarium, a second phase of the “Animal Discovery” exhibit and a completely renovated museum.

The changes sound exciting and would probably boost local tourism and create jobs. Now also is a good time to stretch construction dollars, as contractors hungry for the work are more prone to bid lower.

According to the Science Center's Web site, the expansion could make back the bond investment in one year.

But in this economy, $20 million is a lot of money.

In any economy, it is a lot of money.

It will be interesting to see how voters react.

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Posted by Allen Johnson on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 2:25 pm

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Doug Johnson

September 22, 2009 - 7:14 am EDT

Does the science center pay it on way now?
Are is it a ward of the taxpayers.

Allen Johnson

September 22, 2009 - 9:06 am EDT

Doug:
It receives private and city funding.

Andrew Brod

September 22, 2009 - 9:41 am EDT

The center receives $1 million per year from the city but pays back nearly a quarter of that in rent (the city owns the land on which the center sits). That $1 million figure hasn't changed in many years, which means that as the center has grown (nearly 60% since 1993), the relative level of city support has fallen steadily. One could argue that as the landlord for the center, the city has an incentive to promote ongoing improvements.

Illiterati

September 22, 2009 - 9:47 am EDT

One could also argue that if the Science Center has been able to grow to such a degree with arguably minimal city support, then the Science Center is savvy enough to pay its own way to continue its growth and not saddle a struggling tax base with this bond.

Illiterati

September 22, 2009 - 9:44 am EDT

What kind of jobs are we talking about here, and how many? Every time I see Science Center jobs listed—and the time my spouse went to apply for a job there—they're all minimum wage jobs with no benefits. Sure, maybe an upper-level job for a marine biologist or whatever might result, and of course there would be the short-term construction jobs, but GSO could experience about the same or better job impact for *no bond money* with a new fast food joint or big box store.

If the Science Center thinks it can repay the bond so quickly and easily, surely it can find private funding to accomplish this expansion. And if it does manage to get this bond, maybe the Science Center could show the locals some real appreciation by having a free day every month for Guilford County residents.

Doug Johnson

September 23, 2009 - 6:09 am EDT

I tried to find out how much state and federal money they received.
Have not so far!
However to say the city gives them 4 dollars and gets back 1 dollar, tells me, to vote no for bond.
Taxpayers have enough on them now!

tghdobro

September 23, 2009 - 10:12 am EDT

Dear Doug,

The Science Center privatized 20 years ago which has in turn saved taxpayers approximately $20M. City support that use to be 100% of the museum's budget is today 25%. Per the independent UNCG study, the Center currently generates $10M in economic impact and supports 150 jobs. The bond will create a signature attraction that, when complete, will generate $20M per year in positive local impact and support 253 jobs. The Center has also moved from the unknown to the #14 state attraction attracting 278,000 visitors, a 40% increase from 2 years prior. Approximately 1/3 of those 278,000 visitors come from outside the county thus spending their money in Greensboro. City support has remained a constant while private support and tourism expansion have enabled the Center to become NC's only AZA and AAM attraction, thus bringing more prestige and money to our citizens. Plus, the Science Center's land and buildings are city owned. Private citizens have taken a city entity and made it better, more attractive, more educationally impacting and a top-15 state attraction. It is a public-private partnership. The public portion has remained constant for 20 years while the private portion grows, expands and brings a national standard facility to Greensboro. This epitomizes how a public-private partnership is intended to work. The foresight of city leaders needs to be commended, and the exhaustive work of private citizens epitomizes how moms and dads of Greensboro decided to make a difference in the name of science education for every student in this community. Your comments are appreciated, but the partnership between the city and Science Center is one that has worked as intended and designed 20 years ago. The city saves money and private citizens help generate new money, economic vibrancy and cultural impact for all citizens.