Replica space shuttle to be relocated

DOWNEY - A 122-ft. long replica space shuttle currently located inside Downey Studios will be moved into a temporary building on the property's southwest corner, according to a deal approved by the City Council on Tuesday.The city will rent a temporary storage building from Las Vegas-based Allsite Structure Rentals while Dunkel Bros. of La Mirada will move the shuttle. The total relocation cost is estimated at $156,612. Developer IRG, which owns the Downey Studios property, agreed to contribute $100,000 towards relocation costs and the rest will be made up with federal grants. The shuttle will be moved to the studio's parking lot adjacent to Columbia Way. IRG is leasing the portion of land to Downey for only $1 per year. City officials expect the shuttle replica to remain inside the temporary shelter until at least 2014 but the long-term goal is to have it displayed near the Columbia Memorial Space Center, said Councilman Mario Guerra. The shuttle mock-up needs to be relocated by July 1 due to demolition work scheduled to begin this summer. The property is being redeveloped into a 1.5 million square foot retail and entertainment complex.

********** Published: June 14, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 09