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Museum Of Broadcast Communications To Sell Building
CHICAGO -- December 12, 2008: The Museum of Broadcast Communications will sell its building at State and Kinzie in Chicago, which has been standing half-finished since mid-2006. A statement from Museum founder/President/CEO Bruce DuMont Friday said the museum board voted to sell on December 10.
DuMont cited both the economic downturn and "the failure of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to keep his $6-million promise to the museum" and said, "Much time and money has been lost due to the failure of the state to act."
DuMont said in an interview with WTTW/Chicago earlier this week that Blagojevich volunteered to provide state funds for the museum and construction began, but was halted when the money didn't come through. A donor then offered a bridge loan so contruction could be restarted. Then, DuMont said, Blagojevich's representatives said they would check the donor's "political stripes." The donor was a major fundraiser for Blagojevich's Republican opponent in the governor's race, and DuMont said the state funding was soon withdrawn without explanation. DuMont also told WTTW that he was told not to talk about the matter and that he would be left to "twist in the wind."
The Friday statement continued, "This is a very disappointing development. However, the MBC board hopes that a new owner of the property will have a sense of history and community spirit and will want the museum to remain as a tenant. This will now be the only way we will be able to offer an interactive media experience to thousands of visitors each year who seek an understanding of the role of media in our society."
Dumont thanked those who have supported the museum since 2002 and added, "What began as a dream for many has turned into a nightmare thanks to Governor Blagojevich."
Blagojevich is now under investigation for, among other things, allegedly attempting to sell President-elect Obama's vacant Illinois Senate seat. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is attempting to have the governor temporarily removed from office.
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