How About a “Search and Discover Museum”
Several months ago, the San Jose Business Journal reported that a plan to move the San Jose Art Museum to the old Martin Luther King Library building on W. San Carlos St. had fallen through. What if the city were to entertain bids for a major developer and a major Silicon Valley corporation to work together to build a “Search and Discover Museum” that would serve as a hall for world class exhibitions and a permanent home for a West Coast annex of the Smithsonian Institute?
During the 2006 mayoral campaign, Vice Mayor Cortese advanced the idea of approaching the Smithsonian about locating a western annex here in San Jose. Cortese indicated that representatives from the Smithsonian were interested in the idea. What if one of the valley’s giants (a Google or a Yahoo) could be sold on the idea of underwriting the development of a project that would provide the city of San Jose with the ability to host traveling exhibitions such as the King Tut exhibit or the Titanic Collection? Imagine the benefits San Jose would enjoy if exhibits like these could be drawn to our town.
A “Search and Discover Museum” with its Smithsonian Western Annex would become an attraction not only for tourists, but for locals as well. And, the city’s other museums and attractions would likely see an increase in their attendance numbers as more visitors would come to downtown. Everybody wins. Downtown merchants and the hotels would receive more tourist dollars, the city would receive more sales tax revenues, and the sponsoring corporation would benefit from being able to advertise its services in such a high-profile way. Best of all, the deal could be done without a public subsidy.
What are the seismic retrofit costs?
Besides, it’s just another ugly building. The museum is a great idea…but in that building?
Why don’t we appreciate the museums we already have before pursuing new ones? Oh, that’s right, most of the museums we already have aren’t Downtown.
It would be quite remarkable for San Jose to become the home to the Western Smithsonian Annex, and the use of the old library building to house it would be a good fit. It might be of interest to the San Jose Art Museum to reconsider taking one floor of the Library as their home and sharing it with such a large draw as the Smithsonian. That could only help to increase their patronship, and in effect increase their revenue allowing for additional exhibits and offerings.
With the 1892 Post Office / Old(er) Main Library building freed up from the Art Museum, it would be an excellent chance for the myriad San Jose / Santa Clara Historical Societies to band together to put up a strong showing in the downtown area. History San Jose, California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, The Native Sons & Daughters of the Golden West, the Victorian Preservation Association, Preservation Action Council, E Clampus Vitus, the New Almaden Mining Museum, etc. Each could have a showing, promote their knowledge, and enhance the respect for our heritage. In this short list, I am in no way trying to slight any group that I may have omitted.
Community involvement and pride would increase. New members would bring additional resources to each of the groups represented. This in turn would provide the catalyst for many additional projects to be undertaken, and that is a benefit to all.
San Jose has a rich and interesting history. Each of these groups works to bring this to light. Together, their impact would be that much more dramatic. Hopefully this would work out better than J.J. Owens Light Tower (1881-1915) for shedding light onto the remarkable contributions that San Jose has made to its inhabitants and the rest of the world.
Number 3:
History San Jose, ex-San Jose Historical Museum already has a presence in downtown in the Fallon House and the Peralta Adobe. They shoudl be the umbrella.
But, the big hang up is that Parks and Recreation would be involved and they are completely incompetent! Just look at how they have let our parks go down hill! If the Renewal Agency would only take a look at how Parks has let History Park on Senter Rd. go down hill, they would declair it BLIGHTED and condemn the property.
Jerry
Actually John, The old Main Library is still going to be the San Jose Museum Of Art. There is no reason to update that building with earthqauke upgrades. The building is on rollers and floats in that location for seismic reasons. I agree that it is an ugly building by todays standards, but it is safe. It is in better seismic shape than the San Jose Convention Center that is just behind it. When the library building was built they used quality contarctors, when the Convention Center was built they used the lowest bidders that were available. There is a big difference between the two. I have heard through rumors that the group TEAM SAN JOSE, who has been losing money on a steady basis and runs the convention center wants to tear the old building down and expand the convention center for more floor space. Where are they getting the money??? I also heard that they are under Grand Jury investigation. Wow, can you say “Ronnie’s leftovers” are still trying to hang on~ What politician in his right mind would give money to a “belly up whale” like Team San Jose during a Grand Jury investigation especially during these troubled and trying times for the City. I say that the MLK building should stay as paid for city building and should be used for the Arts or leased other wise, but not destroyed.
How about the Armando Gomez/Victor Ajlouny Institute of Unethical Conduct.
Do you all know Victor employed Chuck as a lawyer for an appeals case in Nebraska, while Chuck claimed he was not going to work for any more clients??
You’d better share this idea with Team San Jose…they have their eye on Old MLK for the Convention Center expansion.
Perhaps, the Smithsonian Western Annex could go in the (still) empty retail space at City Hall?
Hello Jerry,
It was a pleasure meeting you on the occasion of the grand opening of the Pioneers new building at History Park on SuperBowl Sunday. My main thought in regards to the Post Office building was to provide a focal point for all interested historical societies to have a small showcase to present themselves to the public at large. The Fallon House and Peralta Adobe are shining examples of what can be done (with time and determination).
The more active interest we have in preservation and cultivation of our past, the better the community will function as a whole. By allowing as many groups as possible to share a single location, the better the chances that public awareness can be broadened. This would be an enhancement to the whole, as opposed to a detraction to any singular group.
In conversations with many individuals, it often comes down to politics and conflicts, splinter groups and pet projects that keep many in the historical societies at odds with one another. If we started with a neutral site, and fostered communal understanding between the groups, who knows what we may be able to accomplish. Maybe this is too naïve of a view, but it couldn’t hurt to at least broach the subject.
As it is doubtful that the scenario that I mentioned will come to fruition, it is rather a moot point anyhow.
-John
All good ideas! We need a museum in the downtown to tell the story of our local history . The Fallon-Peralta is nice but only tells the story of a short period in San Jose. The MLK should be saved and reused. It is a good representation of mid-century architecture in the downtown. The library and the CPA were the two public buildings from the 60’s-70’s that represented any hope for the future of the downton. The RDA was demolishings entire blocks at the blink of an eye yet no one was wanting to build on these empty lots. We lost some of the greatest buildings buit in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. We should save these few good buildings from the 60’s and 70’s.
I always thought that the city’s thinking was that the property was too valuable for the library; for some reason I thought the building would go, making room for a convention center expansion.
Jerry #4 opines: “Fallon House and the Peralta Adobe. They shoudl [sic] be the umbrella. ” What are you smokin’, Jerry?
The original Fallon House lasted, what 130 years?, with Manny’s Cellar a tenant for decades. We put $5 million+ into the rehab., and it’s already falling apart. Paint peeling, stairs rotten.
Peralta Adobe is always closed.
They would be the LAST people to run anything.
Frank #5: Thanks for the 4-1-1.
The former Community Bank Bldg. was built to withstand quakes, too; but it was red tagged for weeks after Loma Prieta. The EQ standards are much stiffer now than when original MLK was constructed.
But the biggest gripe I have is how ugly the building is to house a showcase tenant.
Jerry R & John S must be smokin’ the same stuff. Fallon house looks blighted. OOOPs, maybe RDA will come in and spend another coupla mil.
John, your right about that I remeber that very well. But as you see the old MLK building made it throuhg the big loma quake. The “vision or urban legend” of tearing down the old MLK building is now about 15 years old and it has not happened yet! I heard that it was going to be torn down about 4 years ago, yet it still stands! I can tell you this, Team San Jose / Convention Center does not stand a chance of expansion due to the amount of time and money that is involved. You have to start with enviornmental impact reports, and the endless meetings, the worry of who the “LOW BID” contractor will be, the historical groups wanting to save the building, the total lack of interest of the citizens that have taken it in the “Behind” from the city by using tax dollars for a group that is tied to scandal… i.e. Grand Jury investigation. The library building is going to stay if any of us like it or not. Trust me the city has no plans of tearing down that building, or giving a “Dead Bloated Whale” like Team San Jose another chance to waste funds and run out of money. Team San Jose has no money of thier own and the city does not have any money to spare for “Hash Pipe Dreams” like this one. I will be on the committee to save the old MLK if one is ever started. It’s a good sound building and should be spared the wrecking ball. (that’s not gonna happen anyway) Who know’s maybe Mr. Fenton will pull a Rabbit out of his sleeve next. I would be very careful of anyone associated with Ol’ Dis-Honor Ron. If your meet any of these guys and they shake your hand, check to see if you still have your wallet. I bet it will be missing! Just the ramblings of an Old Man with nothing better to do.
Having a San Jose Smithsonian annex here in our city would in my opinion be great for us. Maybe Mr. Campbell could assist Dave Cortese in seeing that it becomes a reality.
Again, thanks Pete for brings up issues that we should all discuss and support to improve our city by having a Western Smithsonian Annex would be great> San Jose is the best location to show our agricultural past, present Silicon Valley and future innovations in computers, consumer electronics, biotech, medical devices, solar and alternative power.
John #3 – your idea for a possible larger History San Jose Museum with office space for all our local history or preservation groups would add to our downtown’s economic vitality. It could also provide additional education or wider understanding of significant contributions of local people, inventors, conservationists, community organizations, entrepreneurs or companies on business, local communities, history, government, social and public policy.
Having a group of local museums like Discovery Museum, San Jose Art Museum, History San Jose partner together with Smithsonian or other national / international museums to expand shared local exhibit space makes good economic sense in tight grant and government funding times especially for upgrades to make the old library building attractive and earthquake safe
Hosting large traveling exhibitions, history or art collections would help build the necessary widespread community, corporate, city government and downtown business community support rather than for each to separately attempt to build out their museum.
Dear San Jose:
I should have stipulated that the old library building would be demolished to make way for the construction of the new facility. As for the concerns expressed about expanding the convention center, I should think that any future expansion would go on the other side of the center where the tent is currently located.
Pete Campbell
Pete I agree, but you may have your facts wrong about that library building… I do agree that the ugly Eyesore “CIRCUS TENT” needs to go and there should be more Exhibit space for the Convention Center. This item should be put on the back burner for a long time, at least until the enconomy recovers. The city of San Jose can not afford another fiasco / scandal associated with City Hall. Not only do they not need problems,but they don’t have any money to start any projects with. All the money the city used to have is tied up in NCH at 200 E. Santa Clara St. Great Idea’s though!
Put the Western Smithsonian in the downtown ballpark the city seems determined to pursue in defiance of any shred of reality. What are THEY smoking?
Could we please check our spelling before we post? Frank Maggiano wrote: “Great Idea’s though!”
“Idea” is not a proper noun or a possessive. The sentence should read “Great idea, though!”
#11, JMO’C
You’re right about a waste of money spent to acquire, rehab, and maintain the Fallon Mansion; my parents were the lesser know tenants adjacent to Manny’s Cellar. Just like Manny, my parents lost their livelihood along with the eviction of many innocent lives, for what?
I propose we let city staff be allowed to continue to function smoothly during this phase of transition from the Gonzales administration to the Reed era, and put to use our rotunda at city hall as a world class
exhibit location.
Sure thing School Boy! I will have you proof read all my posts and documents from now on. I don’t remember asking for your opinion anyway, and so what if my grammer is horrible.
Pete—When I first heard this idea put forth by Dave Cortese, I was taken back about it. Then after some thought I saw what an opportunity this would be for San Jose to have such a “NAMED” draw as part of the city. Think of the notoriety this would bring—think of how the city could be promoted throughout the U.S.—think of the influx of visitors this would bring to the city and finally think of the revenue all this activity would generate.
Your idea about getting sponsors and backers to help fund the initial phases is a good one. Not only could the sponsors get good press for their participation in this but the city will gain as well. Seems like a “WIN—WIN” situation to me. Let’s see if the motivation is there and let’s see if this can be brought to fruition.
Concerned Citizen
The old MLK building is very solid if not beautiful. I’m sure it could be given a face lift of sorts that would make it more appealing. I don’t consider it a good example of mid-century architecture. It’s more like bland 1970-ish desperation architecture similar to that awful concrete fountain that looked like a broken Aztec water main on the old Paseo de San Antonio.
The MLK building was engineered to hold a lot of heavy books. It’s perfect for the Smithsonian type of application. Just pretty it up some and it’s good to go.
The City’s General Fund is bare, but the North San Jose Plan approved by Council and the pending zoning applications submitted to the City will generate hundreds of millions of tax increment dollars for the RDA.
If you want an example of the magnitude of tax revenue that will be created for RDA, look at what will happen after Sony gets their residential zoning and sells their property to the Irvine Company.
JMO- I can’t post as openly as you because I work in the development field. I enjoy the “free exchange” on SJI and my posts are my small attempts to balance the scales and pointing out important facts that are sometimes overlooked by the public.
Once again Novice shows his true form. You conveniently leave out the fact that those interned were AMERICANS!! Your selective use of history to support your twisted views is typical but not very intelligent. No one supports the atrocities of war, but to somehow link the incarceration of Americans for no reason other than ancestry with war atrocities is a stretch even for you. Who’s next on your smear parade??
#27 Tom and 28 U.R.
It’s about time that Novice got slapped upsde the head. This is the same person who used this site to support the Bush/Cheney Orwellian policies of rendition, torture and imprisonment without due process. He gets his speech and tone from his guru, the Queen Hatemonger, Ann “Eva Braun” Coulter and his “facts” from Mallard Fillmore in the funny pages. Just another small minded, off-the-scale rightwing hypocrite who has no other talent so utilizes hate and fear to draw attention to himself.
You can bet he will love our attention and will soon be back here to gloat. He has nothing else.
Heil Schickelgruber
I had started typing a response to Novice, but then I read #28’s response and yeah.. .that’s exactly right. Funny, he doesn’t link German Americans with the atrocities committed during the Holocaust by German soldiers (as he shouldn’t), he only links Japanese Americans with the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers (as he shouldn’t, but yet, not surprisingly for him, does). What would be the difference between the 2 groups of people? Hmmm….
I have it from a reliable source that the old MLK building is to be turned into the Norm Mineta WWII Japanese Internment Museum.
And why not.
It is truly outrageous that the Japanese were singled out and… what’s that? …Germans and Italians were relocated and interned too?
“Between 1941 and 1948, the U.S. government rounded up and detained 15,000 German-American civilians, disrupting thousands of homes.”
http://www.traces.org/germaninternees.html
“These books and movies reveal that during World War II, roughly 600,000 Italians were required to carry identity cards that labelled them as “resident aliens.” Some 10,000 people in war zones on the West Coast were required to move inland.”
Finally, my source says that an exhibition of the Japanese war atrocities committed against the Chinese, Koreans, Filipino’s, Americans, and British will be on display in a phone booth sized room in the old MLK’s basement.
If for some reason the Japanese atrocities exhibit doesn’t materialize – seems the Japanese have a hard time owning up and apologizing for past transgressions – you can read about the atrocities here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes#The_crimes
Plight of the interned Japanese indeed.
Great googley moogley!
You don’t even have to *hit* the moonbat bush with a folding chair of truth to flush ‘em out, just a slight brush or a nudge will do.
Let’s roll back the tape to see what I said that was so offensive.
I stated that the Japanese were not singled out for internment in World War II and that the Germans and Italians encountered the same internments.
I stated that to this day the Japanese are extremely reluctant to acknowledge their role in the aforementioned atrocities. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/08/news/japan.php
I stated that on the great richter scale of hardship, struggle, death, destruction, holocausts and atrocities, that that occurred during WWII, the Japanese internment saga rates about 0.001.
Novice – your link to the horrors of the Japanese Empire in WW2 is informative and these horrors should never be forgotten. Unfortunately, to then ‘link’ this in some way w. the innocent families, friends and neighbors of mine, who were wrongfully interned in that war, is a very large leap and should not be made – ever! These internments were a blot on our honor, an event that we should understand and learn from. TMcE
Here is what we should do with the old library.
Set up a library of lies told by local, state and federal government elected officials and politicians. And, yes I would include the SJ redvelopment agency in local government. This would be a first of its kind in the country and would best serve our City, State and the Country. And, set up a separate corner for shark lawyers to research and file law suits against all the liers.