State senator wants to audit plans for museum

Cities 'excess,' with $58M from taxpayers provided

By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... State Senator Michael testa is calling for an audit of the plans for a satellite location of a French modern art museum in Jersey City that has cost New Jersey taxpayers more than $58 million.
..... In a letter Monday [07/31/2023] to Governor Phil Murphy, Testa, a Cumberland County Republican, balled the project a symbol of "unconscionable excess and waste." the museum, known as Pompidou X Jersey City, is slated to open in 2026. The Legislature has been appropriating funding for the project for years, as as of May [2023] none had been spent.
..... The project has received funding in New Jersey's 2022, 2023 and 2024 fiscal year budgets - including federal pandemic relief money. Citing a lack of information about the full scope of work, Testa said he sought to see the staffers to complete a review. It was prepared by :reviewing hundreds of relevant documents" that were obtained through the nonpartisan Office of Legislate Services, public records requests, and local financial and operating postings required by federal and state law.
..... Testa's review found that more than 433 million will be paid to the Centre Pompidou French arts museum in Paris and about 411 million of that is for the right to use the Pomidou name on the museum for five years.
..... The review also found that at least 20 no-bid consultants are expected to receive more than $40 million for the project's soft costs, Testa said.
..... According to his letter, responsibilities for these consultants would include finding other consultants, reviewing each other's work product, duplicating the functions of project managers, engineers and architects, and 'consultants of dubious need or with extravagant costs, including a food consultant, a French transpiration' and consultants for lighting, sound and signage."
..... Testa is also calling for state oversight to control the costs.
..... The senator said he remains "opposed to forcing state taxpayers to fund the project - especially considering your Department of State has estimated the museum boondoggle costs could climb to approximately 4200 million."
..... Baily Lawrence, a spokesperson for Murphy, said the "partnership between the Centre Pompidou and Jersey City will create a unique and iconic anchor for Journal Square and the city."
..... "We are proud to welcome the Centre Pompidou to our state after Jersey City successfully competed against cites across the continent to host this world-renowned organization," Lawrence said.
..... "as we continue to work toward the completion of this pivotal project, we look forward to opening of what is destined to become one of the premier cultural attractions in North camera..

..... Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse Email: sobko@northjersey.com.

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