The Paleontological Research
Institution (PRI) in Ithaca, New York today publicly announced its plans
to build the Museum of the Earth and formally launched the public phase
of the fundraising campaign for the Museum. The new Museum will, for the
first time in PRI’s 70-year history, allow the institution to display a
significant portion of its significant fossil collections, which are
among the largest in the nation.
At a press
conference held at the construction site next to PRI’s existing building,
PRI staff and Board members announced that they have so far raised
approximately $5.8 million of the $8.6 million campaign goal. The
remaining $2.8 million is to be raised in the public phase of the
campaign, lasting around 18 months. An additional $2 million is being
provided in long-term financing, providing for a total project cost of
$10.6 million. The Museum project is one of the largest non-profit
projects ever undertaken in Ithaca outside higher education.
The Museum
has been designed by the New York City architectural firm of
Weiss/Manfredi. Construction started on the 18,000 square foot building
last September, and is expected to be completed in February 2003, with
opening scheduled for May of that year.
The press
conference also featured remarks from New York State Senator James
Seward, Assemblyman Martin Luster, District Representative for
Congressman Maurice Hinchey Daniel Lamb, Park Foundation Executive
Director Joanne Florino, and President of the Tompkins County Chamber of
Commerce Jean McPheeters. Both Park Foundation and New York State made
substantial lead commitments to the Museum project. Other major lead
donors include The J.M. McDonald Foundation, Borg Warner Automotive,
Tompkins Trust Company, The Tompkins County Foundation, Wegmans Food
Markets, New York State Electric and Gas, and the individual members of
PRI’s Board of Trustees.
More
information on the Museum of the Earth and the Campaign can be found
at
www.museumoftheearth.org
and at http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20020708/topstories/178827.html
Warren D. Allmon
Director
Paleontological Research Institution
1259 Trumansburg Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-6623 ext.14
fax (607) 273-6620
email wda1@cornell.edu
website:
www.priweb.org