Philanthropists Tom and Mary James unveil plans for new St. Petersburg museum

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Philanthropists Tom and Mary James unveil plans for new St. Petersburg museum

Lennie Bennett, Times Art Critic

Thursday, June 16, 2016 8:45pm

ST. PETERSBURG — Looking for spectacular? Philanthropists Tom and Mary James are bringing it to downtown with a new museum that will make a commanding architectural statement and be filled with works from their vast art collection.

Plans for the grand project came one step closer to reality Thursday when the Jameses revealed their vision and never-before-seen details to St. Petersburg's City Council. The $55 million Tom and Mary James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art will be at 100 Central Ave. Their desire, said Tom James, executive chairman of Raymond James Financial, "is to create a real arts destination in St. Pete with another high-quality museum."