Da Vinci museum proposal seeks PBR venue, promises STEAM exhibits and planetarium

A nonprofit leading a proposal to open the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America asked Pueblo officials to support locating the museum in the vacated PBR Sports Performance Center attached to the convention center, saying the project would bring STEAM programming, a planetarium and rotating international exhibits to the Riverwalk.

Craig Elliott Cisney and Joe Arriaga (project lead) presented the concept to council members and said the museum would combine a permanent Leonardo da Vinci exhibit, a STEAM interactive center and a future planetarium expansion on the Riverwalk. The presenters said artisans from Florence have produced life‑size machines based on Da Vinci’s drawings that have toured U.S. museums; organizers plan rotating exhibits and local manufacturing of museum products. The group supplied a feasibility study that examined a new build, retrofits and use of an existing building; they selected the PBR space as the best near‑term option.

Presenters cited examples from other cities where Leonardo‑themed exhibits drew substantial attendance and revenue. They described an initial operating and build plan that includes roughly $0.5 million for renovation of the space, approximately $0.5 million for exhibit construction, and about $1.0 million in working capital for 18 months of operations. Economic‑impact estimates prepared for the proposal showed revenue scenarios ranging from a first‑year museum revenue projection in a modest case of roughly $1.4 million to a best case of about $2.4 million, with employment projections in the mid‑teens for the early years, based on an independent feasibility and economic‑impact review.

The group told the council it has a major donor ready to launch a capital campaign if the project receives the necessary state and local approvals. The proposal includes a memorandum of understanding to secure exclusivity with the Artisans of Florence and an education partnership with Colorado State University Pueblo for scholarship and internship opportunities; the project also seeks to serve underserved children in the region through education programs and outreach.

The presentation will be taken to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) on Thursday; organizers asked the council for public support and noted they planned to negotiate a market‑rate lease rather than the low lease formerly paid by the PBR tenant. Mayor Nicole Graham and council members expressed strong support and said they would monitor Thursday’s EDC decision.

Ending: Organizers said they expect a prompt decision from the state board and plan a capital campaign if the EDC and OEDIT approve the project. Museum backers presented a plan they said could open in late spring or early summer 2025 if state approvals and lease negotiations proceed as expected.