Tampa Museum of Art

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The Tampa Museum of Art is located in downtown Tampa, Florida. The museum exhibits 20th-century fine art, as well as Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. A large outdoor sculpture garden has also been added. The museum can be rented for parties with up to 600 guests.

[edit] Controversy

The proposed relocation of the Tampa Museum of Art has been at the subject of much controversy for several years.

A so called "Grand Plan" was drawn up in 2002 by famed architect Rafael Vinoly. Unfortunately, the plans for that museum replacement project crumbled due to numerous financial burdens.
In 2003/2004, a heated battle between the museum board and Tampa mayor, Pam Iorio began over where the museum would be located. Iorio wanted the museum in the old courthouse, while the board wanted to keep the facility along the Hillsborough River. Plans for this proposal later collapsed.
A third plan arose in 2005, to relocate the museum to the nearly abandoned, Rivergate Tower (formerly known as 400 N Ashley). The plans went forward with some debate, but just before the deal could be 100% secured, city records surfaced about a the tower's appraisal, which came in much lower than what the city paid for. This issue has since stalled the relocation plans indefinitely and as of June 2006, there is no word regarding if the plan will be getting back on track.