Salt Lake mayor supports giving $10 million to Leonardo

Mayor Ralph Becker wants to keep The Leonardo's doors open.

In a decision sent to the Salt Lake City Council on Friday, Becker recommended the council release $10.2 million in bond money to renovate the old city library and enter into a lease agreement with the art, science and cultural center.

The recommendation was handed down following an independent consultant's six-month review of The Leonardo's business plan.

"The Leonardo has weathered a long and challenging path as a startup organization," said Raylene Decatur, of Decatur and Co. "Based on the information I have today, the organization is poised for success at a level unimaginable 12 months ago."

After months of going back and forth with the City Council, The Leonardo slimmed down its business model under new director Peter Giles, ensuring its future viability, said Lisa Davis, the center's spokeswoman.

"We really have made significant progress over the last six months," Davis said. "We realize we still have some milestones to accomplish, but we couldn't be more excited."

Leonardo officials must still win over a City Council that has been leery of moving forward with the center, fearing it might require money from the city beyond the voter-approved bond to survive.

"If there's any expectation beyond what the city has committed, that's where my concerns would lie," said Council Chairman Carlton Christensen. "What's encouraging is the feeling that the new business model can work. We really didn't have any direct confidence in that."

Public funding is a component of the museum's plan, Davis said. That money could come from the county, state or through federal grants.

"We're just like every other museum out there," Davis said. "That's just one of our many different sources, including visitor revenue, and we have some leasable space in the building for private events."

Most recently, The Leonardo enjoyed widespread success of Gunther von Hagens' "Body Worlds 3." The Leonardo sold more than 290,000 tickets to the exhibit over its four-month run, bringing in visitors from all 50 states, Davis said.

Officials acknowledged the museum is not likely to duplicate those numbers soon, but Davis said The Leonardo plans to bring in "blockbuster" exhibits every 18-32 months.

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