JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Museum of Science and History is one step closer to making it's new home on Jacksonville's Northbank a reality after leaders announced a $10 million donation, the largest donation to date.
“We are making a landmark donation of 10 million dollars," Joe Hinrichs, the CEO of CSX, announced Tuesday.
The decision to move MOSH was made in 2020. The project was given a $100 million dollar price tag of which MOSH had to raised $40 million as part of an agreement with the city of Jacksonville.
MOSH leaders expect to reach that by June.
“Most of the delays are with negotiating the formal gift agreements, but we have some commitments that will get us most of the way there so, to those who say that we can’t do it, I would say watch us," Dr. AL Dove, the MOSH CEO, said.
It’s not the only development in downtown Jacksonville making progress.
The city just accepted a record breaking $147 million federal grant for design and construction of the emerald trail's remaining five segments.
Construction on the new river front plaza is underway.
Shipyards west is going through the design phase and according to the mayor, the city is inching closer to a deal for construction of the new Jaguars stadium.
“We are closing in, yes we are, on a negotiated stadium deal with the Jaguars which we hope to announce in the not to distant future," Mayor Donna Deegan, said.
All the projects, Deegan says, will give the city an economic boost and help make downtown a destination for residents and tourists.
“We’re putting the pieces together for game changing events in our city," Mayor Deegan said.
MOSH leaders expect construction for the new MOSH in lot X to start by December 2025, with the opening goal set for 2027.