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California Science Center asks for maintenance funding; opening timeline for Air and Space Center not yet set
Summary
The California Science Center described near‑completion of its Air and Space Center building and requested maintenance funding; the subcommittee was told that resources to open the center to the public have not been identified and an opening in FY2025–26 is unlikely without additional funds.
The California Science Center told the subcommittee that construction of its Air and Space Center—the phase that will house the space shuttle Endeavour and a large collection of aircraft and spacecraft—is nearly complete, but state funding requests before the committee cover maintenance and custodial obligations rather than public opening and operations.
Jeff Rudolph, President of the California Science Center, said the project nearly doubles the museum’s footprint and that installation of artifacts and exhibits has begun. The building itself is close to completion, but the museum’s operating budget to open the facility to the public remains unresolved.
Why it matters: The project is a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar public‑private undertaking and the center already draws about 2 million annual visitors; the new phase will add major exhibition capacity and has statewide tourism and economic implications.
Details presented
- Project scale and status: Rudolph described the third phase as the Air and Space Center, a $450 million project overall; the state contributed $80 million and the remainder has been raised privately. The museum has begun artifact installation and exhibit work but needs additional funding to open the facility to visitors.
- Maintenance request only: The governor’s budget item under consideration covers maintenance and mothballing obligations to preserve the building and installed artifacts after turnover; it does not fund public opening or day‑to‑day operations. LAO noted an eventual, larger request for operational funds is likely and currently without an identified funding source. CDFA and museum officials noted no plan to open the center to the public in FY2025–26 without additional resources.
Committee remarks and timing
Senators emphasized the tourism and economic value of the center—highlighting major upcoming events in California (including international sporting events) that would increase visitation demand—and asked for a clearer timeline for the operational funding request. Department of Finance said it would not commit to a timeline for a future operational request due to general fund constraints but acknowledged future actions might be required.
Ending: The subcommittee held the maintenance request open, requested more precise operational cost estimates and a clearer timeline for any reopening proposal that would seek state funds.
