HEROES Experience: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
The '''NFPA HEROES Experience''' is a planned $100 million firefighter-themed visitor attraction which will anchor a planned 200-acre development at the intersection of [[U.S. Highway 31]] and [[Shelby County Highway 52]], near [[I-65]] [[I-65 Exit 242|Exit 242]] (the "Tank Farm Exit") in [[Pelham]]. It is anticipated to open in [[2021]] | The '''NFPA HEROES Experience''' is a planned $100 million firefighter-themed visitor attraction which will anchor a planned 200-acre development at the intersection of [[U.S. Highway 31]] and [[Shelby County Highway 52]], near [[I-65]] [[I-65 Exit 242|Exit 242]] (the "Tank Farm Exit") in [[Pelham]]. It is anticipated to open in [[2021]] | ||
The attraction is under development by the [[National Center for Fire and Life Safety]] (NCFLS), with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as naming sponsor. The NCFLS had formally announced an '''Alabama Firefighters Museum & Education Center''' in [[Calera]] | The attraction is under development by the [[National Center for Fire and Life Safety]] (NCFLS), with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as naming sponsor. The NCFLS had formally announced an '''Alabama Firefighters Museum & Education Center''' in [[Calera]]. That project originated when former [[Birmingham Fire and Rescue]] firefighter [[J. D. King]] and his wife [[Bobbie King|Bobbie]] of [[Alabaster]] donated their collection of equipment and artifacts to [[Shelby County]] for a future museum. | ||
The [[Shelby County Commission]] pledged $1 million from a fund generated by lodging taxes to get the project underway. Other partners in the original project were the City of Calera, the [[Calera Industrial Development Board]], the [[Calera Chamber of Commerce]] and the [[Alabama Fire College]]. Method-1 Interiors developed exhibition designs. Lindsay Schluntz, formerly of the Nebraska Firefighters Museum, was announced as director of the new museum in [[2013]]. | |||
In [[2015]] the foundation secured $90,000 of Shelby County's pledge to hire Verner Johnson Architects of Boston, Massachusetts to develop a "comprehensive museum plan" which would include feasibility studies and a conceptual design. At that time, former U.S. Representative [[Spencer Bachus]] was tapped to lead nationwide fundraising efforts toward a planned [[2018]] opening. | |||
In April [[2018]] the "NFPA HEROES Experience" was announced. The facility is expected to offer high-tech educational exhibits in a 100,000 square foot facility. Verner Johnson is working with BRC Imagination Art and the Jim Henson Company on the design of the exhibits and the building. According to the NCFLS, the exhibits will teach about the history of firefighting and emergency medical services; communicate the mental, physical and intellectual requirements for effective emergency services; and promote understanding of how to make the world a safer place. | |||
The site for the project will be donated by the City of Pelham, along with other unspecified incentives. | The site for the project will be donated by the City of Pelham, along with other unspecified incentives. | ||
| Line 9: | Line 13: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Reed, Martin J. (July 8, 2013) "Alabama Firefighters Museum in Calera gets first executive director." {{BN}} | * Reed, Martin J. (July 8, 2013) "Alabama Firefighters Museum in Calera gets first executive director." {{BN}} | ||
* Reed, Martin J. (May 27, 2015) "Alabama Firefighters Museum hiring architect to create facility's comprehensive plan" {{BN}} | |||
* Pease, Jessa (August 13, 2015) "Alabama Firefighters Museum begins comprehensive planning." ''Shelby County Reporter'' | |||
* Harris, Brianna (April 18, 2018) "Major development announced for Exit 242 in Pelham". ''Shelby County Reporter'' | * Harris, Brianna (April 18, 2018) "Major development announced for Exit 242 in Pelham". ''Shelby County Reporter'' | ||
* West, Ty (April 18, 2018) "Pelham selected for $100M major national attraction." {{BBJ}} | * West, Ty (April 18, 2018) "Pelham selected for $100M major national attraction." {{BBJ}} | ||
Revision as of 17:03, 18 April 2018
The NFPA HEROES Experience is a planned $100 million firefighter-themed visitor attraction which will anchor a planned 200-acre development at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Shelby County Highway 52, near I-65 Exit 242 (the "Tank Farm Exit") in Pelham. It is anticipated to open in 2021
The attraction is under development by the National Center for Fire and Life Safety (NCFLS), with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as naming sponsor. The NCFLS had formally announced an Alabama Firefighters Museum & Education Center in Calera. That project originated when former Birmingham Fire and Rescue firefighter J. D. King and his wife Bobbie of Alabaster donated their collection of equipment and artifacts to Shelby County for a future museum.
The Shelby County Commission pledged $1 million from a fund generated by lodging taxes to get the project underway. Other partners in the original project were the City of Calera, the Calera Industrial Development Board, the Calera Chamber of Commerce and the Alabama Fire College. Method-1 Interiors developed exhibition designs. Lindsay Schluntz, formerly of the Nebraska Firefighters Museum, was announced as director of the new museum in 2013.
In 2015 the foundation secured $90,000 of Shelby County's pledge to hire Verner Johnson Architects of Boston, Massachusetts to develop a "comprehensive museum plan" which would include feasibility studies and a conceptual design. At that time, former U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus was tapped to lead nationwide fundraising efforts toward a planned 2018 opening.
In April 2018 the "NFPA HEROES Experience" was announced. The facility is expected to offer high-tech educational exhibits in a 100,000 square foot facility. Verner Johnson is working with BRC Imagination Art and the Jim Henson Company on the design of the exhibits and the building. According to the NCFLS, the exhibits will teach about the history of firefighting and emergency medical services; communicate the mental, physical and intellectual requirements for effective emergency services; and promote understanding of how to make the world a safer place.
The site for the project will be donated by the City of Pelham, along with other unspecified incentives.
References
- Reed, Martin J. (July 8, 2013) "Alabama Firefighters Museum in Calera gets first executive director." The Birmingham News
- Reed, Martin J. (May 27, 2015) "Alabama Firefighters Museum hiring architect to create facility's comprehensive plan" The Birmingham News
- Pease, Jessa (August 13, 2015) "Alabama Firefighters Museum begins comprehensive planning." Shelby County Reporter
- Harris, Brianna (April 18, 2018) "Major development announced for Exit 242 in Pelham". Shelby County Reporter
- West, Ty (April 18, 2018) "Pelham selected for $100M major national attraction." Birmingham Business Journal