moderne wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 12:36 pm
Probably end up out of state. Both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are interested and already have steamboat related attractions and events. KC cannot even support a faux steamboat excursion boat as most river cities have. Seems to be a general lack of interest of the past of KC here.
Pre-Covid we were about to see river boats relaunched in KC. Not sure if that is still happening but would be from the Rock Island Bridge.
This guy has talked to a bunch of cities that haven’t worked out. I don’t think it’s a KC history thing vs. a lack of spending $50 million to house a guys (iirc) for profit Museum.
$50 million is a big WW1 Museum renovation or a nice Nelson expansion. Long list of touristy things I’d rather KC or MO do first.
Demanding 80k square feet museum in a popular well traveled area is going to get him nowhere. It'd be neat to see it relocated locally but I don't want any of the local municipalities hurting themselves for this dude's ego trip. Imagine them wasting all that AR space at Kemper instead of a new soccer stadium or even a simple park.
TheSmokinPun wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 2:04 pm
Demanding 80k square feet museum in a popular well traveled area is going to get him nowhere. It'd be neat to see it relocated locally but I don't want any of the local municipalities hurting themselves for this dude's ego trip. Imagine them wasting all that AR space at Kemper instead of a new soccer stadium or even a simple park.
If a soccer stadium soon is the alternative, then yeah. Absolutely that would be a fantastic site. But how soon could that happen? I'd rather have something active than for that space to sit dormant for who knows how many years.
A park is fine - would be a good spot for food trucks to come and people to hang out. The greenspace over by the tracks and 670 is neat. They did a good job with that.
I just don't want to see another vacant property. This would have the space for a tourist attraction that fits our city's brand and is quite popular.
I've always thought Steamboat Arabia should be part of something else whether it be another museum or perhaps one of the local casinos. The thing that makes the most sense to me is have it be part of the Bally's casino expansion.
KCPowercat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:58 am
It's weird because it is a unique attraction but nobody seems to want it. I mean I want it out of RM.
He doesn’t have the best reputation for being easy to work with.
I thought the owner and inspiration for the river boat exhumation died in 2019? Is this a son that is being difficult?
So, what is the problem with the River Market location from the city's perspective? Do they actually have vendors that would take over the space if the museum left? I rather think the museum fits in well there at its current size. If they want a larger space the former Star printing building is vacant and should be easily adaptable. Perhaps they can get McClatchey to donate the property if they still own it. It's the very least they could do for KC.
KCPowercat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:58 am
It's weird because it is a unique attraction but nobody seems to want it. I mean I want it out of RM.
He doesn’t have the best reputation for being easy to work with.
I thought the owner and inspiration for the river boat exhumation died in 2019? Is this a son that is being difficult?
So, what is the problem with the River Market location from the city's perspective? Do they actually have vendors that would take over the space if the museum left? I rather think the museum fits in well there at its current size. If they want a larger space the former Star printing building is vacant and should be easily adaptable. Perhaps they can get McClatchey to donate the property if they still own it. It's the very least they could do for KC.
Arabia pays either well below market rent or none at all. Also is said in various reports to prevent other events from taking place (concerts, etc) in RM.
Ambassador Hospitality owns the star building and is rumored to have some commercial tenants taking a serious look.
KCPowercat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:58 am
It's weird because it is a unique attraction but nobody seems to want it. I mean I want it out of RM.
He doesn’t have the best reputation for being easy to work with.
I thought the owner and inspiration for the river boat exhumation died in 2019? Is this a son that is being difficult?
So, what is the problem with the River Market location from the city's perspective? Do they actually have vendors that would take over the space if the museum left? I rather think the museum fits in well there at its current size. If they want a larger space the former Star printing building is vacant and should be easily adaptable. Perhaps they can get McClatchey to donate the property if they still own it. It's the very least they could do for KC.
Yeah, it's a family thing. They've always clashed with the city market and were told the lease wouldn't be renewed when it's up. They pay well below market rate.
The fact that no one is fighting for it tells you everything you need to know.
For years they've been begging anyone that will listen to build them a museum. There are issues with control as St Charles found out. The Missouri legislature sniffed around too. It's like we want you to build us a world class museum and pay our family to keep doing this and we keep control.
If you've been there recently, the museum shows its age. I think anyone paying would want the collection transferred to a trust with independent directors. And while cool, it's not worth that much.
FangKC wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:25 pm
Yes, I seem to recall that the Steamboat Arabia owner has complained in the past that concerts cause vibrations dangerous to his exhibits.
I think I read somewhere that a Death Cab For Cutie concert was the tipping point. Hilarious to me
I have a feeling they will end up selling the collection to some museum or other party (like a casino) that are looking to enhance attractions. They also want to dig up the Steamboat Malta, but I don't know if they will even get the funding for that. The collection could end up at Riverside Red X for all we know.
Do they have exclusive rights to the Malta? Seems like they have this as a family business that does not make enough money to pay for its own house.
U of M Columbia has an archaeology department that could do this thing professionally, not as an amateur treasure hunt.
He doesn’t have the best reputation for being easy to work with.
I thought the owner and inspiration for the river boat exhumation died in 2019? Is this a son that is being difficult?
So, what is the problem with the River Market location from the city's perspective? Do they actually have vendors that would take over the space if the museum left? I rather think the museum fits in well there at its current size. If they want a larger space the former Star printing building is vacant and should be easily adaptable. Perhaps they can get McClatchey to donate the property if they still own it. It's the very least they could do for KC.
Yeah, it's a family thing. They've always clashed with the city market and were told the lease wouldn't be renewed when it's up. They pay well below market rate.
The fact that no one is fighting for it tells you everything you need to know.
For years they've been begging anyone that will listen to build them a museum. There are issues with control as St Charles found out. The Missouri legislature sniffed around too. It's like we want you to build us a world class museum and pay our family to keep doing this and we keep control.
If you've been there recently, the museum shows its age. I think anyone paying would want the collection transferred to a trust with independent directors. And while cool, it's not worth that much.
St. Charles is onto something. The entire collection doesn't really need to be displayed. I can't think of a single museum on my top 10 list that is displaying anything remotely close to their entire collection.
Either lease out the rest of the artifacts or sell them. Not a very business-minded treasure hunter!
FangKC wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:38 pm
I have a feeling they will end up selling the collection to some museum or other party (like a casino) that are looking to enhance attractions.
Exactly. The current problem is no one is close to the Hawley’s requested price. I would gladly exchange Death Cab for Cutie for the Arabia. I just hope the Hawleys are paying market rates for their space before they sell out at a much lower price than they are holding out.
They have a pretty sweet deal in KC. The city owns the building and that big wheel. It's a prime spot.
I don't remember well enough but some feelers were put out about transferring the collectiom at one point. But then you see articles saying like we're going to dig up six of these.
I think he's the only member of the family left. I don't begrudge anyone for wanting money, but the price and details have never made sense.
If you look at what they pay in rent and what they charge and what they've invested in the museum, I think many people rightly have backed out before/after due diligence. I'll leave it there.
KCPowercat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:58 am
It's weird because it is a unique attraction but nobody seems to want it. I mean I want it out of RM.
Indifferent on the museum -- they just need to vacate that building and let something much more valuable take its spot.
Expand the City Market in there, rooftop market stalls, Visit KC visitors center, etc. Arabia is just irrelevant for that key site. Yes I'm glad they're moving out.
They should still try to get riverboats as well on the river again. Arabia doesn't need be around for that to happen. People will just like the boats.
On the bright side, the museum leaving means the parking lot along Grand can be redeveloped in the future, similar to City Harvest, with the old Museum spot becoming some sort of indoor marketplace.
The City of St. Charles doing their own thing seems smart, in my view. Might as well do their own and St. Charles owns the items instead of building it for someone else to just hold the items.
Just build it in KCK. I imagine WyCo will throw money at it to get their artifacts back home (even though it's across the State line).
Development on that parking lot would be amazing. FWIW I think the museum is actually pretty cool if only to kill an hour and some visitors I've had here have really enjoyed it. Too bad the greed/ineptitude of this Hawley guy might kill it. I would love if a proper place could be found for it to stay in KC, but not if we have to sell the farm for it. :shrug:
