In today’s Journal Star, reporters Jennifer Davis and Teri Bibo tried to pin down rumors that the “Amazasploraportaseum on the Square” will have to be downsized because nobody in their right mind wants to donate money to this colossal boondoggle.
What the reporters got was an endless parade of denial and double talk, all of which indicates to me that the rumors of a downsized museum are probably true. This paragraph quoting Jim Vergon, chairman of Lakeview Museum’s board of directors, is a classic:
“With respect to the size of the museum, this has changed over time. It’s gotten bigger; it’s gotten slightly smaller as we’ve continued to look at many different options.”
This is a huge development. In addition to defying common sense, the museum project will not defy the laws of physics.
Blogger Polly Peoria addressed these rumors the other day, suggesting that if the Great Yellow God wants it’s visitor center, then it ought to dip into its record profits and pay for it and stop begging for donations, willing or otherwise, from others.
Tags: Caterpillar, Great Yellow God, Lakeview Museum, museum square, Sears Block
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Nooooo…… we're not making it smaller because a lack of donations. We're making it smaller because construction costs have increased. Yeah, yeah, that's it. Bigger isn't always better, you know. We want something more elegant, understated, a bit reserved. Classy. Yeah, that's the ticket. Less brash, less flash, more educational, less touristy. It's supposed to be a museum not Disney, after all. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. I made a lot of these same statements after my parents informed me that I would have to pay for my own wedding.