Could a new museum soon rise in downtown Tampa adjacent to Curtis Hixon Park?

City leaders recently received a proposal from the Palm Harbor-based "Two Red Roses Foundation" to build a museum and waterfront restaurant.

The foundation, led by art collector Rudy Ciccarello, would pay for the $31 million project. The museum would house collections of Arts & Crafts movement in America, including fine arts, furniture, metalware, pottery, and woodblock prints.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is a fan of the idea.

"We have always said we need more waterfront dining on the Riverwalk," Buckhorn said. "We are a waterfront city, and we have very little waterfront dining. I wanted a restaurant incorporated into this museum to give people an additional reason to come downtown and stay downtown and activate the riverfront."

According to the discussions, the museum would lease the land from the city for $1 a year for 99 years. If the city and the foundation can come to terms, the foundation expects that construction could begin in mid 2013, with the museum opening in the spring of 2015.

Discussions regarding the museum between the city and and the foundation are ongoing.