CMoG to expand into Steuben Glass Factory

Officials are calling it the rebirth of the Steuben Glass Factory. The building that stopped production and was closed down in November is now set to be turned into a new wing of the Corning Museum of Glass. Our Lara Greenberg has more on the new expansion plans.

CORNING, N.Y. -- The Steuben Glass Factory stands empty and idle next to the Corning Museum of Glass. But in just a few years, it will be a part of the museum.

Corning Incorporated is funding a $64 million project to expand the museum into the Steuben Glass building. The additional space will mean more room for the hot glass shows and the contemporary art collection. Officials say the collection grows every year and they could always use more space.

"Many of these pieces are large sculptural works. So many of them are currently in storage because we don't have a space that's either tall enough or large enough to give them the breathing room that we really need to have," said CMoG executive director Karol Wight.

Corning Incorporated owns the old factory, but work will be done by Thomas Phifer and Associates. The construction reinforces that Steuben Glass production will not return to the building. But collectors say they're happy to see it be put to good use regardless.

"If they can't make Steuben Glass in that building, I think expansion by the museum is the next best thing," said Steuben Glass curator and collector Tom Dimitroff.

But museum officials say the building will still pay homage to the history of Steuben Glass.

"We're moving the hot glass show into the Steuben Glass Factory, so once again, hot glass will be being made in the same footprint that Steuben used. So it's a rebirth," said Wight.

A rebirth that will continue to honor the legacy of glass in the Southern Tier.

Officials hope to break ground this spring. They expect the project will be completed sometime in 2014.