Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation of Winter Park, Florida would like to construct a world class museum of modern art in Winter Park to display the largest assemblage of stunning original Louis Comfort Tiffany Glass and stained glass in the world, as well as the work of other contemporary American artists. The City of Winter Park and it's Community Redevelopment Agency, have been conducting a Planning Study within the Community Redevelopment Area.

Hanson Taylor , Inc. as consultants to that group have worked closely with the residents of Winter Park and the business organizations. An advisory committee has adopted extensive goals, objectives and policies which help form the basis for many land uses in the city including the present evaluation of the museum location. Combining these activities with a previously completed Comprehensive Plan for the City of Winter Park, they were quickly able to access the viability of the cultural museum and its potential locations.

The American Institute of Architects conducted a planning charrette in August of this year and the Chamber of Commerce recently completed a planning retreat. All of these factors including the cooperation of the City Manager, City Planning Director, and the City Commission, have resulted in all this coming together at the right time to enable the Blue Ribbon Task Force to assess various sites in a comprehensive manner.

The City of Winter Park's Blue Ribbon Task Force decided to to evaluate one of the potential sites at Morse Boulevard and New York Avenue.

The proposed site is in the heart of Downtown adjacent to lovely Central Park at the intersection of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard. The proximity of Park Avenue's boutiques and shops makes the site a good location for the museum which would complement the upscale feel of the neighborhood. The Hanson Taylor study examined height, density, and bulk of the proposed structures, as well as traffic, parking, Comprehensive Plan Compatibility, Park Preservation enhancement, and streetscape issues.

The site contains the Chamber of Commerce, Post Office, AmTrak station, and parking. The site study suggest building the museum, parking garages, commuter rail station, and expanded park on 6 acres. The concept requires a two story structure surrounded by a sculpture garden with parking structures north and south of the museum. The southern garage could include retail shopping on the Morse Boulevard side. The parking garage would be "concealed" to look like neighboring buildings in the same manner as the parking garages on Rodeo drive in Beverly Hills, California.

The project is special because of the importance of such a significant cultural facility to Winter Park and the concerns of its residents, the objectives of downtown business, the effect on the goals, objectives, and policies of Winter Park's Community Redevelopment Agency, and other impacts of this catalytic project for Winter Park. Of paramount concern is that the museum fit the character of Winter Park, so that rather than being overpowering, the museum enhances this elegant community.

LASN