Mote Marine announces plans for new $130 million aquarium in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- Officials with the Mote Marine Laboratory on Thursday announced plans for a new $130 million aquarium to be located near Interstate 75 in Sarasota County.

The new center, to be called the Mote Science Education Aquarium, will be built on 5 acres of county-owned land in Nathan Benderson Park, near the burgeoning area just south of University Parkway off I-75, according to a news release.

Construction on the new site is targeted to start in 2019, according to the release.

The project is being bankrolled by a fundraising effort called Oceans for All: Improving Access to Marine Science & Technology. As of Thursday, the project had received 20 percent of its funding, Mote Marine said.

"At Mote Science Education Aquarium, science is the attraction, as it is the heart of our mission," Michael P. Crosby, aquarium president and CEO, said in a statement, adding that the new facility and campus will double the number of annual visitors.

At 110,000 square feet, the new site also will more than double Mote's existing location at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, which it will replace. It also will contain 1 million gallons of exhibit water, allowing for more room to feature marine life and displays while expanding its capacity for its research and education programs.

"Beyond 2020, I expect that Mote Marine Laboratory will become the catalyst for a new 'Silicon Valley' of marine science and technology in southwest Florida, leading to more than just improved conservation and sustainable use of our oceans," Crosby said.

Officials estimate the new center will produce more than 260 jobs and provide an annual economic impact of $28 million.

"Mote has significantly increased its research capabilities over the past few years," Mote's board chairman, Robert Essner, said. "Our new aquarium, when completed, will be a spectacular venue for our educational endeavors and will create an incredible regional visitor attraction."