James Bond museum bound for Illinois, USA?

A former Momence, Illinois, auto dealership is being eyed by the Ian Fleming Foundation as a potential location for a James Bond museum that would display many vehicles used in the fictional British secret agent movies - reports MyWebTimes.

Doug Redenius, a Momence post office employee and the vice president of the Ian Fleming Foundation, addressed Momence aldermen about using the former Case Motor Sales dealership near the intersection of Illinois Route 1 and Illinois 114 on the city"s south side to display the vehicles valued at $5 million.

The not-for-profit foundation owns 32 original James Bond vehicles. Ian Fleming is the author who created James Bond and wrote 14 Bond books.

Many of these vehicles are actually stored in Momence, but because there is no single place to store them, they are not open for public inspection.

"Did I ever envision something like this would be right here in our backyard? No," Redenius said. "It"s a perfect facility. There is certainly room."

Momence Mayor Mick Porter said this is a perfect opportunity for Momence and one he wants to continue exploring.

Redenius said the foundation has no timetable for a decision, but noted the foundation is not interested in operating a museum.

"This was only a first step," he said.

The 5,000-square-foot building is currently owned by the city and is the home of the Momence Community Center. The community center is a location available for rent for parties or gatherings.

It"s unclear how many Bond vehicles would be placed at the museum.

Redenius estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 people would visit the museum in its first year.

Asked what type of interest there is in Bond movie vehicles, Redenius said that"s a question he has asked himself.

He said it"s been estimated that one-fifth of the world"s population has watched a Bond movie or read a Bond book.

"... There are different degrees of Bond fans just like there are with anything. But the number of people that are familiar with Bond is very large," he said.

How such an attraction would be owned or operated are questions that still need to be addressed, Porter said.

He said the property could be sold to a private investor or it could remain in the hands of the city. Porter said the property, however, needs an estimated $60,000 to $80,000 of repairs.

He said a concept of the city owning the property and contractors repairing the property at their own cost is being discussed as well. Under this plan, Porter said, these contractors would receive a portion of the admission fee.

There are many details that still must be addressed. But the mayor is excited about the opportunities this presents.

Said Porter, "This is international; it just is. We are always thinking of what we can do to bring Momence to its fullest potential. This can be a step."

Thanks to `Charles` for the alert.

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