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Science Center’s new Air & Space Center near completion; state funding requested to maintain building but opening requires additional resources
Summary
The California Science Center said the building for its Air & Space Center is nearly finished and requested state funds for maintenance; the department and LAO noted further budget needs will be required to open and operate the facility to the public, and the subcommittee held the item open.
Jeff Rudolph, president of the California Science Center, told the subcommittee that construction on the new Air & Space Center—which will house the space shuttle Endeavour in launch position and roughly double the center's footprint—is nearing building completion and initial exhibit installation.
Maintenance request, not opening funding The governor's budget includes a request for modest ongoing maintenance funding to preserve the completed facility and meet lease maintenance obligations once the state takes possession. CDFA's and Finance's witnesses said the requested amount covers basic building maintenance; it does not fund public opening or full operational staffing. LAO staff flagged that the Science Center's special fund that currently supports operations is in structural deficit and said a future, larger proposal for opening and operations is likely and currently lacks an identified funding source.
Why it matters The project is a major public‑private partnership (project cost cited as about $450 million; the state has contributed a portion and the balance has been raised privately). Committee members stressed the state's interest in ensuring long‑term operations because the new center is expected to attract large visitor volumes during major international events coming to California in the late 2020s, and members pressed Finance for timing and cost estimates for an eventual opening plan.
Next steps The subcommittee held the maintenance funding item open and asked for future budget proposals and cost estimates for opening and ongoing operations. Science Center officials said they expect additional requests in coming years to cover full launch of public operations.
Speakers from the transcript: Jeff Rudolph (President, California Science Center); Natalie Griswold (Department of Finance); LAO representative.
