THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701180030
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 43 lines
Financially foundering Nauticus, the National Maritime Center on Norfolk's downtown waterfront, has become a city agency.
But because Norfolk taxpayers were told that Nauticus, which was established as an independent entity, would be self-supporting, self-sufficiency should still be City Hall's goal for it.
Mayor Paul D. Fraim indicates that's the case. He says the city may find a private contractor, such as Disney, to run Nauticus. Whatever comes of that, the City Hall is obligated to explore credible ways to make Nauticus self-sustaining, or close to it.
Meanwhile, Deputy City Manager Darlene L. Burcham has set two objectives for the $53 million venture:
Nauticus will take in enough revenue to (1) cover operational costs and (2) help pay down its $35 million debt. Both objectives are attainable if Nauticus generates excitement that pulls people in. Fewer than 300,000 came in 1995 and again in 1996. Far from enough.
``Titanic: The Expedition,'' the current featured presentation by Nauticus, stirs excitement. More crowd-pleasers are essential to boost Nauticus' numbers.
Freshening Nauticus' offerings will be difficult, given fiscal realities. But the difficulties could be eased by gaining corporate-sponsored activities and exhibits appealing to children and adults, and Nauticus will seek them.
Also in the works is enhanced collaboration between Nauticus and the U.S. Navy (the center shelters the free-to-all Hampton Roads Naval Museum) and other members of the maritime community - collaborations that would expand grass-roots involvement and boost admissions and revenue.
Nauticus has had an identity crisis from the outset. Everyone knows what an aquarium is. What is Nauticus? Answer: a science-and-technology center with a maritime - indeed, nautical - theme that offers G-rated movies, exhibits, interactive pastimes, aquariums and sundry other delights at the heart of a great natural port.
Nauticus' challenge is, as it has been since its spring-1994 opening, to corral throngs. Relieved of bankruptcy worries and merged into the municipal structure, it can focus on doing precisely that.