http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_de...wsitemid=42567

Montco Judge Approves Move of Barnes Collection to Philadelphia
by KYW's John Ostapkovich

A Montgomery County judge has given the OK to move the Barnes Foundation's famed multi-billion-dollar art collection from its hard-to-visit suburban gallery (right) to a new museum in Philadelphia.

The decision handed down Monday by Montgomery County Orphans Court judge Stanley Ott could be huge for Philadelphia tourism and at least some of the art community.

Everything about this plan has been controversial -- from an arts standpoint, from a legal standpoint, and even from a racial standpoint. But the bottom line seems to have been the bottom line.

The Barnes was going broke in its current location on North Latches Lane in Merion, Montgomery County. In most circumstances, moving to the art district on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway would be a no-brainer. It would get more visitors, and it has offers of $150 million to ease the transition.

What stood in its way? Several art students point out that Barnes formed his foundation expressly forbidding moving the collection.

Judge Ott, however, found that circumstances dictated breaking Barnes' indenture and approving the move.

This story may not be over though. Opponents who may appeal did not immediately respond to the judge's decision.

And there's the issue that a proposed site for the new Barnes museum is currently a baseball lfield and area residents don't seem pleased at the prospect of losing it.

I take this as excellent news - hopefully guarantees that it is actually be allowed to move will be sufficient to assuage the Barnes's larger future benefactors that it will be worthwhile to allow some cash to flow to keep the Barnes afloat while they wait for the Youth Guidance Center site (its best potential future location) to become available.

Now if they can make some headway on the potential Calder Museum and Philadelphia will be well on the way to becoming one of North America's premier art tourist destinations.

Good news, I agree, but Fairmount/Spring Garden/Logan Circle residents need to be especially vigilant now. I would not be at all surprised to see Von Colln Field suddenly become the preferred site - why wait an indeterminate number of years for the Youth Study Center to be vacated & demolished when you could practically start digging tomorrow?

Any and all neighbors who value this piece of land need to be prepared to mobilize in protest if this threat to Von Colln Field materializes.

Where are Jayfar and Archeologist on this news?

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

Hehe. I'm preoccupied on another project, so I'll decline comment now, but besides my scheme to locate the Barnes in the former Rittenhouse Club, one of my acquaintances on the Committee to Save Convention Hall is suggesting the Board of Education building (as a higher use than having it gutted for condos).

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Cheers,
Jayfar
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“I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional (sic) Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.

Yes, I like the School Board building suggestion too. It's pretty spectacular inside.

Art Museum area residents: Note in the Inky this morning, on the front page, the little map with 2 potential sites: the Youth Study Center and Von Colln Field.

I didn't read the article in the paper but I read the opinion and the decree. Both were well thought out and carefully prepared. I think they're bracing for an appeal.

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www.taxgirl.com

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/10411539.htm

Looks like it will be the youth center

Glad to see the mayor making the right decision. Let's hope everyone sticks with this. In order for the Parkway really to become a global destination, we HAVE to get that butt-ugly monstrosity of a building off there anyway.