New Tampa Museum Proposals Aired Wednesday

Specific questions about design philosophy, budget and timing helped narrow a pool of several dozen architectural firms to three. Museum interim director Ken Rollins says some questions were deal breakers.

ROLLINS: We wanted to be sure we were working directly with the design principal, and that is the case with each of these firms.

The building committee initially denied media access to their meetings. But the architectural presentations are open and will allow 15 minutes for public comment. However, the board will make the final selection.

ROLLINS: The architect is the employee of the art museum being paid for by private sector dollars, and once the board chooses an architect, we will simply negotiate the contract and move forward.

Rollins says the city does not have a say on the architect. Yet, the city will contribute more than $17 million to the new $25 million museum.