The Leonardo closes indefinitely for repairs
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The Leonardo has closed for critical repairs, with no set reopening date.
Why it matters: The unexpected closure this month of the nonprofit science and art museum, a fixture in Salt Lake City's Library Square, highlights its ongoing financial woes since opening in 2011.
Catch up quick: The museum sought to honor the painter and scientist Leonardo daVinci and aimed to deliver cutting-edge immersive exhibits.
Yes, but: It has long struggled to pay off debt.
- In 2019, Mayor Jackie Biskupski's office served the museum a default notice of over $600,000 in unpaid bills and neglected building maintenance, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
- The city owns the building occupied by the museum.
The latest: Andrew Wittenburg, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office, said the city will continue to work with The Leonardo's leaders to "address repairs that are desperately needed at the facility, as we have for more than a decade."
- "Due to maintenance needs that have not been resolved by the tenant as part of the lease agreement, certain systems have failed and now require sustained attention," he said in a statement to Axios.
- The city is also working with the museum to meet ADA requirements.
The other side: Museum staff did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.
- In an email sent to patrons, the museum's board chair, Lisa Davis, said she was "optimistic that these repairs will be completed soon," and planned to work with the city on other fixes, the Tribune reported Tuesday.
Zoom in: A Google review of the museum dated a week ago stated that the elevator, escalators and some bathrooms were out of service.
- Another review from about two weeks ago said the museum's projectors and televisions were not turned on.
- "I don't know if this is representative of what it's typically like, but if not, I don't know why they bothered opening at all today," the reviewer wrote.
What's next: Ken Sanders Rare Books, a popular bookstore that relocated to the space in 2023, will remain open Tuesday through Sunday.
What we're watching: Whether The Leonardo's uncertain future sparks calls for repurposing the building, which is in a desirable and growing neighborhood.