Dinosaur Museum Project On Temporary Hold
A big and costly project in Canon City is dividing city council members. The dispute is over the proposed building of a new dinosaur museum near the Royal Gorge.
Right now, the Dinosaur Museum sits on the west end of town. It has been operating out of an old fire house for the last sixteen years. But the city has sold the building and their lease is up, so the museum needs a new home.
On the table, is a proposed new building that would be more than 30,000 square feet and cost more than $9 million dollars.
“The problem is we only got one choice. Really only yes or no,” said Mayor Tony Greer.
Greer said city council approved a feasibility study a few months ago. It cost $35,000. The study resulted in a preliminary design for the new much larger building.
On July 18, city council members voted in favor of moving forward with the proposed building, with a vote of 4 to 3.
The no votes coming from council members Ron Bates, Colby Katchmar and Roger Parsons.
Bates and Katchmar both expressed concern over the lack of community input and the push to get the resolution through quickly.
“I do think we need one, it’s not even the question. But I’m not sure we need to go from a 3,000 square food building to a 33,000 square foot building. In these tough economic times, I’m not sure if it?s a good idea to finance a $9.5 million dollar project without discussion from constituent’s and hear what they want and think is best for our community,” said Greer.
The hope is the new museum will bring in significant revenue for the city.
“I believe the projected numbers maybe $250,000 for the first full year. That’s if the projections are correct,” said Greer.
He went on to say, “individuals in the private sector would have a difficult time procuring finances for a $9 million project that produces $250,000 in income.”
The project was supposed to be in the hands of the financing committees. But instead has been put on hold according to Greer and Bates.
Greer said without unanimous approval from the city council, it is a bigger risk for lenders. So it will likely go back into discussion first.
