Rendell backs new museum

As the 21st century approaches, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell is pushing full speed ahead with plans for a $170 million high-tech Constitution Center. Earlier this week, Rendell gave his support to a plan which proposes to build a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the plan calls for a revitalization of the area north of Independence Hall. If Rendell's plan is accepted, the Liberty Bell would move to the north side of Market Street and be enclosed in a new glass and steel pavilion. Running above and below ground, "Freedom's Way," complete with high-tech gadgetry, including multimedia exhibits, TV town meetings, discussion theaters, educational galleries, a "Signer's Hall," and sound and light shows will be central attraction of the proposed National Constitution Center. The entire area would also be illuminated at night by a 13-star logo of the Constitution. And while there is no time table for the project, Rendell has said he would like to see it in operation by 1998. The Mayor's endorsement of the plan comes at a time when the National Park Service is considering six alternatives to rejuvenate Independence National Historic Park. After 18 months of searching for alternatives, this week marks the fourth and final stage of planning before preliminary decisions are made. According to Park Service Spokesperson Ann Marie Diserafino, the preliminary decisions will be released in May. Diserafino said that all of the alternatives include a National Constitution Center, but the city's plan is by far the most expensive and elaborate of the options. She added that the Park Service is very concerned about public sentiment and will carefully analyze how the public feels about the different plans, especially in light of outcry in 1976 when the Liberty Bell was moved from Independence Hall. Under the city's plan, the National Constitution Center would be designed by Ralph Appelbaum, the principal designer of the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The $170 million for the proposed Constitution Center would come from private contributions, said City Councilman Joseph Vignola. He added that Stephen Briganti, the man who helped with fundraising for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, would be on board the project. Vignola said he is very enthusiastic about the revolutionary plan, but hopes the $200 million price tag can be trimmed down. "The concept is outstanding," Vignola said. "It is really traumatic and something that should be seriously considered." Vignola added that he hopes the Constitution Center would bring millions of tourists to Philadelphia -- tourists who would have to stay more than a day. History professor George Thomas, a Philadelphia historian, has mixed feelings about the city's proposed plan. "Philadelphia is grappling with the need to rebuild its industry and tourism is a major industry," Thomas said. "My fear is that most Americans don't seem to be interested in didactic exhibits." Thomas added that he was vehemently opposed to any moving of the Liberty Bell farther away from its original location. But he said he would be much more comfortable with the proposal if the Walt Disney Company had a role in the enterprise.