Since the middle 70's, tourists, school groups and space aficionados have flocked to the NASA Glenn's Visitors Center to get close up views of space exploration - past and present.
But down-to-earth financial woes are forcing NASA Glenn to slash up to one-half million dollars from its public outreach budget, and NASA says that probably means closing the popular center.
But the expected loss to Glenn, could become a boon to Downtown Cleveland.
Talks are underway to move some displays to the Great Lakes Science Center, which already boasts four times the annual visitors as does NASA.
Howard Ross is the Acting Director of External Programs at NASA Glenn.
HOWARD ROSS: "We're always trying to figure out how to reach as many people as we can, so we're trying to figure out is it better to have people keep coming to us; or is it better for us to head out into the community?"
President Linda Abraham-Silver released a statement saying the Science Center "is very interested in hosting the NASA Visitor Center onsite" and called it "a natural extension of our mission".
Ross says the deal's still on the launch pad, as closed-door negotiations continue. He does not say how much of its current 6,000-square-feet of display space NASA might have, or whether it will charge admission to NASA exhibits.
Admission to the current visitors center is free. There is no deadline to make a deal, but the visitor's center will likely be closed, by early 2011.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
