Bad choices and bad economic times did not doom the Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Largo. They may have added to its burden, but cultural apathy must be considered the final nail in the museum's coffin.If the giant retailer Ikea had chosen to locate in Pinellas County instead of Tampa, government and community officials would have bent over backward in giving incentives and tax breaks.
If the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team threatened to pull out of town, all the forces of government and business would be brought to bear to convince them to stay. A way would be found. Yet, in its final hour of need, no one considered an art museum worthy of saving. Yes, it is sad.
