CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Flandrau Science Center is facing budget cuts and a decrease in visitors, leaving its future uncertain.

A conference open to the public this weekend could shape what city officials are calling the "cornerstone attraction" of downtown Tucson's future.

The conference "Building Bridges: A Conference of Civic Engagement" scheduled for May 9 and 10 at the Tucson Community Center will allow community members to provide input and guidance in the formation of a UA science center downtown, which could include the Flandrau Science Center.

Officials hope the conference will develop a strong link between the community and the science center and to make the center truly reflective of the region.

After six breakout discussion groups on Saturday, conference organizers hope to develop a specific list of suggestions that project officials will use to guide the development of the new center.

"We want to make (the center) reflective of the community," said Flandrau director Alexis Faust. "We want to build something that wouldn't work in any part of the country but here."

We want to make (the center) reflective of the community - Alexis Faust Flandrau Center director

City officials agree that the success of the center is dependent on the community's response to it.

"The activities of the new science center will seek to re-establish and develop connections · between constituencies: rural and urban communities, between generations, professionals and novices, home and school, Mexico and the United States, the east and west sides of Tucson and the university and the community," a recent press release stated.

The university announced plans to continue giving more than $500,000 to Flandrau last month, even if it were to move downtown in the future. Flandrau initially found itself in jeopardy of losing state funding after being included in Financial Planning Bulletin No. 24, a report earlier in the year outlining the university's recommendations for 16 programs scheduled for restructuring or elimination.

The City of Tucson has hoped to incorporate Flandrau in the Rio Nuevo downtown revitalization project since voters passed proposition 400 in 1999, approving the project.

After the city withdrew support from a downtown aquarium project earlier in the year, project officials began to focus on Flandrau as one of Rio Nuevo's major draws. Assistant City Manager Karen Thoreson said that money from the failed aquarium could possibly be redirected to the science center, which will be of "national scope" and cost nearly $20 million.

The center is also benefiting from the consulting experience of museum exhibition designer Ralph Applebaum, who designed the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. and signed on to the project after visiting his brother, who lives in Tucson.

John S. Jones, Rio Nuevo director, said that Flandrau is shaping up to be just what downtown needs to invigorate the local economy.

"The science center will be a catalyst for regional economic development, education and lifelong learning," Jones said.

Rio Nuevo is currently conducting a $250,000 financial feasibility study paid for with state and local tax dollars. The study's findings are scheduled to be presented in June.

The conference will begin 5 p.m. Friday and last from 8:15 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Friday night will be marked with a speech by UA President Pete Likins and Dr. Eric Jolly, vice president of the Education Development Center. Jolly will discuss the important link between science centers and their communities.

Space in Saturday's discussion groups is limited and event organizers ask that anyone interested in attending contact 621-RSVP. Participants will be selected based on their interest in a specific topic regarding the center.