by Bailey White
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission has approved the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art’s request for $627,253 of Historic Preservation Trust Fund money for the restoration of its building at 333 N. Laura St.
Construction on the 1931 building, which originally served as headquarters for the local branch of the Western Union Telegraph Company, has been completed.
The money will go towards reimbursement of the construction costs, which totaled $3,914,936.
“We had the application in before renovation work on the building was done,” said Jane Craven, president and CEO of JMoMA, “but it has taken this long to work its way through.”
The Downtown Development Authority approved JMoMA’s request at its June 19 meeting, and now the City Council will now have to approve legislation authorizing the use of the trust fund monies.
“We just have one more hurdle to pass,” said Craven.
With five floors and 61,000 square feet of space, including galleries, an interactive education center, a theater, a cafe and a book shop, JMoMA is now a large presence downtown.
“I think we’re really an anchor here in Hemming Plaza,” said Craven. “This building presents a wonderful example of commercial art deco architecture that may have otherwise been torn down. But thanks to this and similar State grants and private donations, it has new life.”