UW-Madison's Chazen Museum of Art expansion is not progressing as quickly as officials thought.
Two years ago, estimations were made to have all funds raised by fall 2006 and expansion completed by 2009 for the university's museum. The plan requires funds adding up to $35 million.
Following an original gift of $20 million from UW-Madison alumni Jerome and Simona Chazen, fundraising and expansion plans kicked off but lacked approval by Chazen administrators. Since then, the plans have proceeded, and the museum has raised an additional $5 million as of Tuesday with $10 million more to raise by the end of 2007.
""What we realized is that we're really not going to get done in 2009,"" Chazen Director Russell Panczenko said. ""That's not realistic because of the practical steps and the time it takes.""
However, Panczenko is confident they will be able to raise the additional $10 million. Projected plans for construction have inevitably been pushed to 2010-'11 due to reasons beyond funding, like choosing an architect who specializes in museum design. Although this is a later date than initial plans intended, Panczenko said ""there is no ‘delay' on the Chazen expansion.""
A Tuesday article in the Wisconsin State Journal referenced the expansion as ""delayed"" and that the ""lagging funding"" may leave the Chazen's ""elaborate building plans uncertain.""
""The Journal got it wrong,"" according to Alan Fish, UW-Madison vice chancellor of facilities, planning and management.
Panczenko admits there were instances in the planning process that may have led to an inconsistency with Chazen's proposed dates.
Since those in charge of the Chazen expansion wanted to select an architect who had experience with museums, the planning process may have taken more time than originally expected, according to Panczenko.
""When we knew we had the architect, that's when we structured the last phase of the capital campaign,"" he said. ""[The] plan is to have them going hand-in-hand.""
The architect was chosen earlier this fall, and the public fundraising phase for the Chazen campaign began Nov. 17.
""All we've been telling people about is a dream, a wonderful idea,"" Panczenko said. ""A lot of people want to get that final, ‘What's it going to look like?' before they're going to commit.""
The museum has been in recent contact with additional donors to raise the remaining $10 million.
The Chazen expansion is also part of the Campus Master Plan that will unfold by 2011, including an East Campus Mall—a pedestrian ""esplanade"" of campus buildings stretching from Library Mall to Regent St. The expansion will rebuild at the site of the university's Alfred Walter Peterson building, linking the new site to the Chazen via bridge.
According to Fish, current progress on the Chazen expansion is ""very consistent"" with the ongoing plan.
