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Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone facts for kids
| Gulfcoast Wonder and Imagination Zone | |
|---|---|
Front of GWIZ Building
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| Former names | Selby Public Library (1976-1998) |
| Alternative names | GWIZ Building |
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Type | Government library, museum |
| Location | Sarasota, Florida |
| Address | 1001 Boulevard of the Arts |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 27°20′30″N 82°33′00″W / 27.34167°N 82.55000°W |
| Completed | 1976 |
| Opened |
|
| Renovated | 2000 |
| Closed | September 2012 |
| Demolished | May 2019 |
| Owner | Sarasota |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Floor area | 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Walter Netsch |
| Architecture firm | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Dale Parks |
| Renovating firm | D/Parks Architect |
The Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone, often called G.WIZ or GWIZ, was a science museum in Sarasota, Florida. It was located right next to Sarasota Bay. The museum was open from August 2000 until September 2012. It had a special area called the Blivas Science & Technology Center.
How GWIZ Started
The idea for GWIZ began in December 1990. It started as a small room, about 1,000 square feet, inside the Florida West Coast Symphony building. Back then, it was known as the Gulf Coast World of Science (GCWS).
In January 1998, the non-profit group that ran the museum got a big chance. The Sarasota City Commission gave them a 20-year lease for a much larger building. This new location used to be the Selby Public Library.
The Building's Past Life
The building that became GWIZ was first home to the Selby Public Library. The library moved there in 1976 from another building called the Chidsey Library. A famous architect named Walter Netsch designed the building. He worked for a company called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. His design used a special style he called "Field Theory."
The library moved its operations to a new spot in downtown Sarasota in 1998. After the library left, the building was remodeled. The Gulf Coast World of Science then changed its name to Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone (GWIZ). The new science museum opened its doors to the public on August 26, 2000.
Why GWIZ Closed
The science museum suddenly closed to the public in September 2012. At the time, GWIZ's website said that renovations were planned. It even announced, "We are working hard to bring you GWIZ 2.0!"
However, the non-profit organization was having financial problems. They were not able to keep up with the payments for their lease with the city. Because of this, the city officially ended the building's lease to GWIZ on September 21, 2013. The building then sat empty for several years.
The Building's Demolition
A big plan for the Sarasota Bayfront area, called "The Bay," was approved. The Sarasota City Commission gave it the green light on September 6, 2018. The first part of this project involved tearing down the GWIZ building.
In its place, the plan was to build a new recreational pier. They also planned a pedestrian bridge over US 41. The GWIZ building was finally torn down in May 2019.