None of the $30 million has been spent, he emphasized. Such state funds are only released, if available, to reimburse expenditures.
"We're still waiting for more information on the [Philadelphia] project," he said.
In addition to the land, Lenfest reportedly has contributed $5 million to the museum, and Cole said other funds had been raised through educational programs.
How much will be needed?
It is "very hard to know," said Cole. When pressed, he estimated that "under a hundred" million dollars would serve to build the museum in Philadelphia.
If that proves to be the case, it marks a radical scaling back of plans. As recently as 2008, the museum was talking about a $375 million project on its Valley Forge property that was to include a museum, conference center, hotel, and other amenities.
The deal with the park service compelled Independence Park's award-winning public archaeology lab to vacate its home in the visitor center for cramped temporary quarters at 325 Walnut St.
The lab was to move directly across Third Street into the historic First Bank of the United States, but that building was found to require major upgrades to its electrical and mechanical systems.
Now the lab, which is analyzing more than a million artifacts excavated in 2000 and 2001, before construction of the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall, will remain closed to visitors without appointments for up to two years while the First Bank is upgraded.
Contact culture writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594 or ssalisbury@phillynews.com.
