EXPLOREUM AND CITY OF MOBILE ANNOUNCE NEW

 EXPLOREUM AND CITY OF MOBILE ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP New lease agreement deeds building to the City and insures science education in the region For immediate release Contact: Jan McKay: [email protected] May 5, 2015; Mobile, Alabama --- The Board of Trustees of the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science
Center has announced that its mission of providing interactive STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) exhibits and educational programming for regional schools, the public,
and area visitors has been further strengthened through a new mutually beneficial agreement
with the City of Mobile. The agreement, which was negotiated by the Exploreum’s Board of Trustees and
representatives from the City of Mobile, will transfer ownership of the privately funded building
that currently houses the science center at 65 Government Street in downtown Mobile from the
non-profit organization to the City. Before the agreement, the City only maintained ownership of
the land. With the new agreement, the City assumes ownership of the building which includes
the IMAX Dome theatre as well as the attached historic fire station, giving Mobile a new capital
asset valued at approximately $15 million in return for a favorable lease agreement that will free
up the Exploreum’s short-term capital funds and enable it to invest more in education, family
events, and exhibitions.
The new agreement also received support from local businesses and industries who are current
investors in the Exploreum including AM/NS Calvert and Evonik, as well as other corporate and
private donors that recognize the importance of STEM programming to the area’s continued
growth and economic success. “Much of our area’s economic success is the result of private sector and public sector
partnerships,” said David Trent of Airbus Engineering and current President of the Exploreum
Board of Trustees. “The Exploreum receives incredible ongoing support from businesses and
industries like Airbus. These, coupled with the philanthropy we receive from local citizen donors,
are further strengthened and leveraged with public support. Having the City’s continued
involvement with a community asset like the Exploreum sends a great message that Mobile
understands the importance of STEM education and that it’s incredibly important for keeping
and attracting new technologically advanced industries.”
1 “Our Board and many community stakeholders appreciate the City’s willingness to keep our
partnership strong and lasting,” added Jan McKay, Executive Director of the Exploreum. “While
the Board and staff will continue to work with existing and new donors to bring the quality
exhibits and programming necessary to meet the Exploreum’ s mission, I believe that this is the
best solution for the City, the Exploreum, and the community. All will gain by this arrangement,
and I want to thank Mayor Sandy Stimpson, his staff, and the City Council for the many hours of
work that were involved to come up with a viable solution that is truly a win-win for the
community.”
“The Exploreum plays a significant role in the education and arts communities in Mobile, serving
as one of our downtown pillars and contributing to the quality of life for our citizens, said Mayor
Sandy Stimpson. “This new agreement will strengthen the Exploreum for years to come while at
the same time ensuring that our public dollars are invested wisely. Put simply: We are a better
Mobile with a more vibrant Exploreum, and this agreement will help us accomplish that.”
Incorporated in 1978, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a non-profit organization that
is a catalyst for science literacy, a tourist attraction, and a presenter of STEM oriented
programming and exhibits. It has been recognized as one of the top tourism attractions for the
State of Alabama and listed among the top science centers in the country. The Exploreum
serves more than 25,000 school children and has an annual average attendance of
150,000 visitors from a region ranging from Alabama and Mississippi to northwest Florida. More
information can be found at www.exploreum.com. 65 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602 www.exploreum.com 2