ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Columbus Center for Exploration, a 20,000 s.f. interactive science center on 
marine biotechnology set up in Baltimore and open for approx. 1-1/2 years.  
Closed in the late 1990's, primarily because of the lack of a realistic business 
plan (clearly defined educationlal mission, sound financial plan, sound 
marketing, etc.) and unrealistic attendance projections made by a marketing firm 
(which didn't pan out resulting in much lower operating revenues than budgeted).

Ocean Journey, a new aquarium opened in Denver few years ago that borrowed 
something like $50 million to help pay for the $90 million in construction costs 
and then planned to pay at least the debt service through earned income, such 
as admissions.  These revenues did not come in at the needed level, so it was 
purchased by a private firm and is now being operated as the Downtown 
Aquarium, an attraction with aquarium exhibits, restaurants, shopping, etc.

Collage Children's Museum, Boulder, operated as a small children's museum 
that had planned for a major new facility but was unable to raise the funding 
needed, so my understanding is that the Board decided to close.

There are some examples of museums that have closed because they merged to 
become part of a larger museum -- examples, the Red Mountain Museum that is now 
part of the McWane Science Center in Birmingham; the children's museum in 
Albuquerque that is now part of Explora, a combined children's and science museum.

Bob

Robert L. Russell, Ph.D., Principal
Learning Experience Design
(202) 997-5539
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Science Advisor, Celebra la Ciencia
www.celebralaciencia.org

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