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 Welcome To The
Florida Aquarium
Official Unofficial
Unauthorized History!
History Of The Florida Aquairum
The Florida Aquarium began with
the development of the Clearwater Marine Science Center (CMSC),
a private, non-profit educational organization located on
Clearwater Beach and incorporated in 1977. In January 1986,
after consultants from New England, National and Monterey Bay
aquariums were brought in to advise the CMSC Board on
expansion potential, the Board of Directors incorporated The
Florida Aquarium as a separate 501 c (3) organization. The
newly organized Florida Aquarium Board of Directors formally
committed to building a public aquarium comparable to the
finest in the nation, and contracted Joseph A. Wetzel
Associates of Boston to provide conceptual designs of exhibits
for the new facility.
In April 1986, a market feasibility study was contracted and
the architectural committee for the project moved forward to
address building and space requirements. In August 1986, the
board went public with plans for the project and conducted
briefings with local and state officials, garnering
broad-based support for the project, from the local Chambers
of Commerce to then Governor Bob Graham. Before the end of
1986, a series of meetings were held between The Florida
Aquarium Board and representatives of Tampa’s Harbour Island,
and the Cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs.
Over the next several years, location and financing were
addressed and the pieces of the site and financing puzzle fell
into place. The City of Tampa agreed to issue and guarantee an
$84 million bond issue to be repaid by Aquarium revenues.
Garrison Seaport Center emerged as a major redevelopment of
downtown Tampa’s waterfront. On April 23, 1992 The Tampa City
Council voted to accept the financing package, and on May 7,
1992 site work for the new Florida Aquarium began. During the
next three years of construction, educational outreach
programs were held throughout the community.
On March 31, 1995, the new Florida Aquarium opened its doors
to the public, serving one million residents of and visitors
to the Tampa Bay area and bringing a positive economic impact
of $60 million to the community in its first year of
operation. In October 1996, the City of Tampa acquired the
Aquarium facility and assumed obligation for the bonds, making
this project a public/private partnership effort. In March
1997, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association accredited The
Florida Aquarium.
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Open in March 1995, the
FLAQ is a monument to the water ecology of Florida - following the flow of
water from rain, through the aquifer, out rivers and streams, to our bays
and beaches, on into the Gulf of Mexico! Plus includes unique exhibits
from around the world!
Do you have
historical photos, old exhibit photos, or photos while under
construction? Please share them with us!
MORE HISTORY
Construction
Old Exhibits
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