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New building for Museum of Science and History

Cultural District Museums New Construction

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#101 Nitixope

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Posted 12 June 2021 - 11:01 PM

Instead of increasing seating, first thing in order should be installing seats that are both larger and more comfortable.  Seating more than 30 minutes in the existing chairs is downright brutal.

This is good to know. Seating has changed a lot over the years sometimes it just wears out too.

It reminds me of some great tickets I bought near the front row of Bass Hall. The only rookie mistake was that I overlooked how much up and to the right I would need to turn my head for 3 hours. Maybe I am a little OCD about that stuff but something I think about even for classes and professional development, especially if you are stuck in a room all day.

Another thought I had about those new ultra comfortable reclining seats in movie theaters was that those types of theaters typically hold fewer guests (as compared to your 80s and 90s style seating) but offer a far more comfortable and enjoyable experience. The only thing that would make those better would be a shiatsu massage feature. I would pay extra for that.

I have not visited the Fort Worth Museum of Sc and His but from some photos I saw on Google reviews their Omni has that classic super steep raked floor so not sure what options would exist for new chairs that meet or exceed present theater standards. Maybe they should check out these D-box seats that move with the action. Some many years ago either another science museum or maybe Disney, I was in a theater that the seats moved with the action and had that steep raked floor and it was great fun. I remember several times feeling like I was falling off a cliff. Can not imagine the cost or maintenance on those.

https://www.d-box.co.../movie-theater/

#102 BlueMound

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Posted 16 June 2021 - 06:16 PM

FE855836-3022-4-E58-93-FB-E7-EDA04-D42-D
Former WWII bunker hosts world's first 10K 3D planetarium
https://newatlas.com...3d-planetarium/

#103 JBB

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Posted 19 April 2022 - 12:06 PM

Sounds like they have leadership in place to start moving the museum in the right direction:

 

https://fortworthrep...der-to-another/



#104 Big Frog II

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Posted 19 April 2022 - 09:00 PM

This Museum has been run into the ground.  The old board was composed of friends of the old, long time leader.  They needed to have made a change years ago but wouldn't.  I wish the new leader the best.  It's a beautiful building but the exhibits are subpar.  The Omni has always been a money maker for them.  With it not open, there's no telling how much money the museum is losing.



#105 Nitixope

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Posted 19 April 2022 - 10:25 PM

https://fortworthrep...r-back-to-life/


Big Frog II, you must be referencing the theater being a moneymaker back in its heyday? According to this previously-posted article by JBB, it said more recently that the theater operated at a loss for the four years leading up to the pandemic and net income had been declining the two years prior to that. It doesn't sound like they finalized the renovation plans to the theater yet either which is disappointing.

 

So the museum in general is bleeding money, wants/needs to hire 20-25% more staff and wants to spend $7-8M on theater upgrades that will turn around the public's interest? Maybe there are some deep pockets to help them out hopefully.



#106 mmmdan

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Posted 21 April 2022 - 08:35 PM

The museum needs better/more interactive exhibits that don't scream corporate sponsor/propaganda.  I have a second grader and we usually end up visiting the science museum wherever we travel, and it seems like every one is more fun than ours.  We have been members of the Fort Worth Zoo ever since our son was born.  In the last 20 years I have been to the museum once or twice before having a child and I am pretty sure we have only been there once since having him.  It's just not fun.



#107 Nitixope

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Posted 21 April 2022 - 10:06 PM

The museum needs better/more interactive exhibits that don't scream corporate sponsor/propaganda.  I have a second grader and we usually end up visiting the science museum wherever we travel, and it seems like every one is more fun than ours.  We have been members of the Fort Worth Zoo ever since our son was born.  In the last 20 years I have been to the museum once or twice before having a child and I am pretty sure we have only been there once since having him.  It's just not fun.

 

That is what you get when the museum director pays his daughter $145,000 per year as a consultant to design the exhibits.

https://projects.pro...9349301568/full



#108 Nitixope

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Posted 16 June 2022 - 06:54 PM

FWMSH is ready to move ahead with a $6M Omni theater renovation:

 

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2022021568

 

PROJECT
Project Name: FWMSH - OMNI Theater Renovation
Project Number: TABS2022021568
Facility Name: FWMSH - OMNI Theater
Location Address: 1600 Gendy Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Location County: Tarrant
Start Date: 8/1/2022
Completion Date: 11/30/2023
Estimated Cost: $6,000,000
Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work: Facility renovation including expansion of entry vestibule, updating building systems and finishes
Square Footage: 21,800 ft 2
Are the private funds provided by the tenant? No
 
OWNER
Owner Name:
Thomas Eatinger
Owner Address:
1600 Gendy Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
 
DESIGN FIRM
Design Firm Name:
Bennett Partners
Design Firm Address:
1640 Taylor Street #2323
Fort Worth, Texas 76102


#109 gdvanc

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Posted 16 June 2022 - 07:42 PM

The museum needs better/more interactive exhibits that don't scream corporate sponsor/propaganda.  I have a second grader and we usually end up visiting the science museum wherever we travel, and it seems like every one is more fun than ours.  We have been members of the Fort Worth Zoo ever since our son was born.  In the last 20 years I have been to the museum once or twice before having a child and I am pretty sure we have only been there once since having him.  It's just not fun.

 

When our kids were really young we used to go to the old museum fairly often in the summer. They especially enjoyed the basement area where there were a bunch of interactive exhibits. They loved it. We took the kids back when they opened the new building and it was pretty disappointing overall. I'm not sure we went back more than a couple times after that.



#110 Nitixope

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Posted 16 June 2022 - 07:57 PM

I was suprised to see the above completion schedule for the new omni is 11/30/2023.  



#111 Nitixope

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 09:32 AM

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023000221

 

PROJECT
Project Name: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Project Number: TABS2023000221
Facility Name: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Location Address: 1600 Gendy St
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Location County: Tarrant
Start Date: 8/15/2022
Completion Date: 9/30/2022
Estimated Cost: $500,000
Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work: Renovation of two outdoor courtyards; a playground and an education center.
Square Footage: 6,200 ft 2


#112 Austin55

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Posted 13 October 2022 - 07:53 PM

On the agenda for next week's city council work session,

 

 

Briefing on the Planned Renovation of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History - Carlo Capua, City Manager’s Office and Orlando Carvalho, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History



#113 Austin55

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Posted 21 October 2022 - 06:57 PM

Some screengrabs from the meeting

 

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RkYyL6J.png



#114 Nitixope

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Posted 22 October 2022 - 05:45 AM

The new seats dont look that much more comfortable than the old ones. Ive only been to one or two movies in the past 7-years, but it seems like fully-adjustable recliners are the standard now. I would be curious how these new Omni seats move or recline to get the full surround experience. Didnt I post something about special seats a while back? I believe I posted a cut sheet on some really nice user experience seats.

Found it. D-Box Seats https://www.d-box.co.../movie-theater/

#115 JBB

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Posted 22 October 2022 - 08:17 AM

The Omni seats already have a fixed recline position that better orients the viewer toward the focal point on the domed screen.  It looks like the new seats are similar and I would imagine that the adjustable reclining seats that are the movie theater standard would mess with that orientation.  Reserved seating would be nice since that is the norm across theaters now.

 

The technology replacing the old style projector is very intriguing, and I would assume that there will be a huge improvement in the picture quality.

 

That last slide on the budget is concerning.  If I'm reading correctly, their fundraising campaign has less than a quarter of their budget secured.  That makes a 2023 construction start sound very iffy given what's come out about their finances in recent years.  Did anyone hear if the meeting gave any indication as to how they are planning on getting the rest of the money?



#116 Nitixope

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Posted 22 October 2022 - 10:30 AM

It is interesting that Byrne Constructions GMP price was dated 6/28/22. I wonder how long that estimate is good for?

#117 Nitixope

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Posted 14 November 2022 - 01:39 PM

Fort Worth Forward had more details on the Omni Renovation to a "Digital Dome" as well as an interview with Orlando Carvalho - President FWMS&H
  • The city passed a resolution / grant for museum funding last week.
  • 18-month renovation, starting at begining of next year, set to open June / July 2024
https://fortworthgov...78cfd92678fdb98
 
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#118 rriojas71

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Posted 14 November 2022 - 08:45 PM

I'm happy to hear that the museum is getting some much needed upgrades and TLC.   I used to go to the IMAX often and can't wait for the Digital Dome



#119 Nitixope

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Posted 14 November 2022 - 09:12 PM

You are right rriojas71, it will be a nice addition. Correction to my earlier post, it was Fort Worth Forward that presented these new renderings from the Museum.

#120 Nitixope

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Posted 31 December 2022 - 12:54 PM

From my visit yesterday:

Ef40VNF.jpg

#121 Nitixope

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Posted 15 January 2023 - 09:32 PM

Omni Theater news story:

https://www.nbcdfw.c...pgrade/3170470/



#122 Nitixope

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Posted 26 March 2023 - 08:54 PM

Record PB23-03831: 
Commercial Remodel Building Permit
Record Status: Pending
 
 
Project Description:
FWMSH - OMNI Theater Renovation
Facility renovation of interior space, finishes, and updating building system


#123 JBB

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 10:30 AM

Not a lot of new information, but the renovation appears to be moving forward:

 

https://www.star-tel...e269783687.html



#124 Nitixope

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 10:54 AM

We visited the DoSeum in San Antonio this week (using our reciprocal Fort Worth Museum of Science and History membership) and we were super impressed with the number of interactive exhibits that appealed to old and young alike.  FWMScH has its unique qualities that set it apart but gotta give a shout-out to DoSeum, they packed a lot of fun things in there.  They had this vacuum tube interactive ball exhibit, I could have spent a hour just on that.  There were a few questionably unsafe items but otherwise overall, was a good time.  The Omni upgrades will be a big game changer for FWMScH.    



#125 txbornviking

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Posted 13 June 2023 - 03:17 PM

construction begins on the "new omni" with a fall 2024 scheduled reopening

 

https://www.star-tel...e276359876.html



#126 rriojas71

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Posted 13 June 2023 - 07:18 PM

Looking forward to the New Omni



#127 Big Frog II

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Posted 14 June 2023 - 10:04 AM

They certainly need a shot in the arm.  Hope this helps.



#128 JBB

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Posted 13 September 2023 - 10:13 AM

The museum has a new president with a great background that started in August.  She seems to have a plan to get things back on track.

 

https://fortworthrep...-despite-pause/



#129 rriojas71

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Posted 13 September 2023 - 04:58 PM

The museum has a new president with a great background that started in August.  She seems to have a plan to get things back on track.

 

https://fortworthrep...-despite-pause/

They better get a move on before the movement to remove science and history gains traction.



#130 Nitixope

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Posted 13 September 2023 - 06:28 PM


The museum has a new president with a great background that started in August.  She seems to have a plan to get things back on track.
 
https://fortworthrep...-despite-pause/

They better get a move on before the movement to remove science and history gains traction.

I noticed the (corporate-sponsored) exhibit on fracking and petroleum exploration fails to address the air, noise and water pollution created in the production of clean-burning energy. Next visit I will be curious to see if they even address wind and solar energy or if it strictly focuses on fossil fuels.

#131 Nitixope

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Posted 10 November 2023 - 03:36 PM

Some highlights from a recent visit to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History:

 

Cattle Raisers Museum:

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New Fort Worth aviation history exhibit: 

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Omni construction site:

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We went up to the top level of the Will Rogers garage and thought these little portholes were kind of cool:

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