The Southbank site is set to transform, initially providing extra parking space and eventually hosting a new development project.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As a new structure rises, an old one is set for demolition.
The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) has given the green light to a proposal for tearing down the former Museum of Science and History (MOSH) building.
Last fall, MOSH began relocating their operations to a new facility on the Northbank, yet the fate of their long-standing home, which dates back to the late 1960s, remained uncertain.
With the DIA’s unanimous decision, the future is now evident, evoking a sense of nostalgia for some community members.
“This was the first field trip our class ever took,” reflected John Hughes as he gazed at the old MOSH building. “Seeing all those buses lined up to visit MOSH was a big deal when you’re six or seven years old.”
Hughes pointed out that while the MOSH building never changed sizes in its six decades or so on the Southbank, it seemed a whole lot bigger when he was in first grade.
“On the side of the wall, there was an ear that had a big enough opening for small kids to climb in,” said Hughes. “It described the inside of the ear, it had plaques on the wall.”
Hughes went from making memories like that at MOSH that stayed with him through the years to his own kids making memories here.
There won’t be any more memories made inside, as MOSH or anything else, after the DIA determined the building is beyond saving.
“Eight individual sections of the roof had words like poor condition, poor condition, poor condition,” said Guy Parola during a DIA meeting Wednesday. “Since this is a redevelopment parcel, it doesn’t seem like a great idea to put a Band-Aid on a building like you wouldn’t feed a dying animal.”
The board unanimously agreed to put about $900,000 toward the demolition, with the goal of having the property ready to put on the market by the end of the year.
“We feel the best interim use is going to be for replacement parking while we do some other work around there,” Parola said.
The DIA reported 450,000 people visited the Friendship Fountain in the 2025 fiscal year, more than quadruple the number from before the fountain’s completion, so several board members are hoping the next use of the MOSH building will complement the fountain.
A DIA report says the City of Jacksonville considers an “upper-scale hotel” as a strong candidate to eventually fill the space.
“Whatever we can do, staff-wise, to really push that parcel, I think it would be a quick winner,” said DIA Board Member Cameron Hooper.
Hughes says he looks forward to the day he can bring grandkids to the new MOSH.
“I know there’s a lapse between the time this one gets taken down and the next one is ready,” said Hughes. “It’ll be sad not to have the museum for a couple of years, but I’m sure the new one is going to be pretty nice.”
The DIA staff told First Coast News the demolition proposal doesn’t need city council approval, and its next step will be with the building department for permit consideration.
Meanwhile, Parola mentioned during the meeting that fundraising is nearly complete for the new MOSH on Bay Street.
He said construction has to start by Sept. 1 there, and it should be open by 2028.
