GulfQuest Board hosts tour of museum

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Project leaders said construction of the GulfQuest Maritime Museum in Mobile is already half-way completed.

Crews said they are 90 percent through the structural phase and will begin the interior build soon.

“This is a game changer,” said Tony Zodrow, Executive Director of GulfQuest. “It's a totally different kind of attraction for Mobile because it's so incredibly unique and distinctive.”

Members of the Construction Management Team, Hoar Construction, and the GulfQuest Board toured city leaders and FOX10 around the building. They said they are looking to set the record straight.

City leaders said they want to address the actual cost of this public-private venture, which will cost $58 million.

GulfQuest would be responsible for the exhibits and running the facility. The non-profit organization said it has raised $8 million so far.

“The city's portion of this is $38 million, and it's an investment that seeing what we have now is well worth it,” said Mobile City Councilman William Carroll. “Any revenue generator that the city has now is positive. The amount isn't important the thing is the long term value of the facility.”

Zodrow said studies show the 90,000 sq ft museum would draw in 300,000 visitors per year with an economic impact of $19.2 million annually.

“I know some people who have said you know no other attraction in Mobile does this,” said Zodrow. “My response to that will be you could have said that about Huntsville before the space and rocket center opened.”

He promises the museum will be unlike any other in the country, with 70 one-of-a-kind interactive exhibits and simulators. Zodrow said the building itself is also quite the attraction.

Tuesday, the Mobile City Council unanimously approved a package to spend $628,770 on the Maritime Museum.

Council members said the money will be used for site utility and general site work for the museum, which is being constructed next to the empty Alabama Cruise Terminal.

The GulfQuest Maritime Museum is expected to open by the summer of 2013.