Naper Settlement is asking the city for $10 million for new exhibition space, but councilmen say they first need more community input and a funding source.
The outdoor history museum’s Scott’s Block project would coincide with Naperville’s 200th anniversary in 2031.
“We need to make sure this is indeed the project of choice for our residents,” Councilman Steve Chirico said. “I think it’s a great dream. If we had that magic pen and unlimited account certainly this would be on the list.”
Macarena Tamayo-Calabrese, president and CEO of the museum, made a pitch to councilmen Monday, saying the group would like to recreate Scott’s Block, a community gathering place built in the mid-1800s on Washington Street at Jefferson Avenue.
“Scott’s Block espoused Naperville to the world and better yet it was the window to the world,” Tamayo-Calabrese said. “It helped educate the community, connect the people in the city and inform the collective culture of Naperville.”
The museum currently focuses on 19th century history. Tamayo-Calabrese said the new building would hold exhibition space that showcases the city through the 20th and 21st centuries, which will keep the museum relevant.
“Scott’s Block will help us impart a sense of the American experience as it happened here in our community and the stories we’ll tell will inspire our visitors to continue to help … attract a broader audience,” she said.
However, the project comes with a $30 million price tag that includes an endowment to keep it running. Tamayo-Calabrese requested $10 million from the city and said the Naperville Heritage Society would raise the rest through state and federal grants as well as private donors. The city would own the building.
The project, she said, would be a way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the city’s 1831 founding. To celebrate other anniversaries, the city undertook projects like Centennial Beach and the Riverwalk.
“To me this is something of that caliber that if this is the project, (it) would be another crown jewel,” Councilman Grant Wehrli said.
However, he and others debated where to find the funding. Wehrli suggested using a portion of the food and beverage tax, which comes in part from people who live outside the city.
But Councilman Paul Hinterlong was hesitant since some of that money funds grants for community groups.
“While it sounds like a good idea, more and more it seems like the government is taking more and more out of it. … Pretty soon there’s not going to be anything for anybody else,” he said.
Councilman Bob Fieseler said the city could consider increasing the tax specifically for the project.
Councilmen also talked briefly about the use of property tax or sales tax revenue. But before determining a funding source, they agreed they need to find out whether the community supports the project and whether there are other ideas for how to celebrate the 200th anniversary.
“You’re the first ones stepping up to the plate,” Councilman Doug Krause told museum officials. “And if we commit this kind of money that negates any other future opportunities for any other group because this is a large expenditure.”
City Manager Doug Krieger said he would return to council with a plan to gather public input.
