Why demolish the buildings? They didn't do anything wrong. I wouldn't mind if the estate were converted into dorms (as seen in Zur's photo) and of course they'll need a big new parking lot for the flood of students that would follow.

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And you know there will never be enough parking... so cars are going to pop up illegally parked everywhere.

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Buh-bye.

The arrangement for the property on Latches Lane, according to news accounts, is that it will remain in the hands of the Barnes foundation. Some artwork (though not that displayed in the public galleries) will continue to be housed in the present building, and the gardens will remain intact. I would be surprised if the Barnes sold it to St. Josephs or anyone else, at least in the near future. That really would create an uproar!

I think that MarketStEl's summary of the Barnes scenario is quite plausible, and he seems to be moderating his previous staunch opposition to the move. My understanding is that transferring the collection to the Parkway will aid the Barnes economically by (1) obtaining funds from foundations and state sources, (2) increasing the amount of visitors who can see the collection, (3) raising admission prices, and (4) adding money-making endeavors such as a bookstore, cafe, and additional displays.

Nanyika

Such a shame...art is meant to be seen and experienced. I've tried to make reservations for the Barnes before but I never got in.

****ing suburbanites.

If it cost $90 M for the Philadelphia Museum of Art to renovate and expand the Perelman Building is $150 M going to be enough money to bring the Barnes to the Parkway? Not to diminish what was done with the Perelman expansion, I would think a new Barnes Museum would be a much more ambitious project. Am I missing something?

Why not send the displaced kids from the youth study center to Latches Lane.....an even exchange that Dr Barnes might have approved of?

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Can’t we all just get a lawn?

So does this mean that Blackwell moves aside so this can finally happen?

Youth Study Center to make way for the Barnes museum

By Jeff Shields

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Mayor Street announced today that the city’s Youth Study Center would move from its home on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to a temporary home in East Falls to make way for the much-anticipated arrival of the Barnes Foundation’s prized art collection in Philadelphia.

With political and legal maneuvers afoot in Montgomery County to keep the Barnes collection at its traditional home in Merion, Street also signed legislation for a 99-year lease with the foundation, which is scheduled to take over the property by May and begin work on a new Barnes museum.

“Bringing the Barnes collection to the parkway city will distinguish this city and region in a very special way,” Street said in a City Hall press conference.
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_top/onbarnes.html

As one of the attorneys who represented the members of the Lower Marion Board of Commissioners, I feel the need to expand this history a bit, because the impression being left is that Lower Merion Township refused to allow the Barnes to expand because of issues of race. (Whether individual Lower Merion residents wanted to financially support the Barnes is a separate issue, of course).

In fact, the Barnes LOST its lawsuit against the Township, alleging that the Commissioners had discriminated against the Barnes because of its affiliation with Lincoln and the race of its directors, because there was no evidence that race was a motivating factor. The Township refused the Barnes' desires to expand hours and increase patronage based upon fears (whether unfounded or not) of increased traffic, noise and congestion. Yes, they wanted their homes and neighborhood free of the masses who might want to view the galleries, but -- Dr. Barnes' intent notwithstanding -- the vast majority of visitors to the Barnes that the Township wished to keep away, quite simply, are not black.

In addition, on the eve of trial in a defamation action brought by the individual Commissioners against the Barnes and Glanton (literally, the night before trial was to start), Richard Glanton agreed to a settlement that included a written apology to the commissioners for his unfounded accusations. I have a copy of the apology he issued, as well as the one issued by Niara Sudarkasa.

Glanton was, indeed, a controversial figure, and not just in his position with the Barnes. I suspect that he had far more enemies in Philadelphia than fans. To say that he was, um, disliked just because of his race is simply not accurate.

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---Shosh

...Barnes intended for the affiliation with Lincoln University to be controversial. He knew that both the upper-crust of the Main Line and the Philadelphia elite of yesteryear would be resentful that a historically black university be given such an important role in the foundation...so in a way, all this debate about race, color, yadda yadda yadda is exactly what Dr. Barnes (a real rabblerouser in his day) wanted. He's smiling in his grave.

But great news about the move---if they can choose the right architect, this can be the most imporant art-related addition to any city in the country.

At the press conference, Mayor Street explained that a new site for the YSC had been identified but that there were still some negotiations with the neighborhood to be concluded. Until that was done he wasn't at liberty to make an announcement. He did quip to a roomful of people that "what you read in the papers is probably right." I've read several things in the papers, so I'm not sure what this means.

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