Published Thursday, March 18, 1999 Hey, if you're going to wish, shoot for the stars.
Tucked inside Pennsylvania's proposed 2000 budget is a $25 million request to build an "air and space institute/entertainment destination center'' in Mercer County. The request was made as part of the county's wish list of projects it wants to fund.
Mercer County Commissioner Chairman Richard Stevenson said the project, estimated to cost about $200 million, is the brainchild of the Aviation Foundation in Pittsburgh. For years the nonprofit group has been trying to generate interest in housing an air and space museum at the former Greater Pittsburgh International Airport in Allegheny County.
"That project, for a number of reasons, has not developed,'' Stevenson said. "They approached Mercer County as a possible site for this facility.''
Under the foundation's proposal, a 750,000-square-foot building would be constructed. One-third of the building would be used as a museum and educational complex while the remainder would be an "interactive virtual reality center,'' along with educational facilities, Stevenson said.
While Stevenson said the county supports the center, he made it clear it is the foundation's project; that organization will be responsible for making the museum a reality.
"We (the county) have committed nothing at this point other than (to) show our support for the concept,'' Stevenson said. "If this organization can bring it to fruition and make it happen, I think it can be an exciting opportunity for Mercer County. But at this point, that's an unknown. You take this one step at a time.''
A call to the foundation wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.
To build the museum and theme park, the foundation must attract funds from other private, public and nonprofit groups, Stevenson said.
The $25 million state budget request was made in the event the foundation raises the necessary funds, he added.
Although no location has been chosen for the museum, the foundation liked that Prime Outlets at Grove City in Springfield Township drew more than 4.5 million visitors last year, Stevenson said.
If the funds are secured, the foundation's timetable calls for the museum and theme park to open in 2003 -- the 100th anniversary of manned flight.
Mercer County's ties to aviation and space aren't exactly legendary.
The county has two small municipal airports -- one in Greene Township and the other in Springfield Township.
Acclaimed aviator Charles Lindbergh once landed in West Salem Township to refuel and Stefan Banic a former Greenville resident, was credited with developing a military parachute.
Amelia Earhart's father taught at Thiel College, also in Greenville, and Grove City resident Walter O'Conner was credited with helping to develop the first ejection seats used in military aircraft.
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