As a strong supporter of the proposed Pompidou Jersey City project, I hope that a new approach can solve financial problems that have threatened this initiative.  Will relocation of the proposed center to a new residential tower reduce the prospective operating deficit? Can the City sell the building originally planned for use by the Pompidou or utilize it for government operations that would otherwise require higher budget outlays?I understand that the community has questions concerning the commitment of the Pompidou to Jersey City.  Is the museum only interested in a place to earn profits while the main museum in Paris is being renovated?  In five years when that work is completed, would the Jersey City center close down?  Also, would the museum here have meaningful exhibitions, or only be a “grab bag” of art works from well-known artists thrown together to achieve maximum crowds?The Pompidou has had satellite operations since 2010, in Metz, France (2010) , Malaga, Spain (2015), Brussels (2018) and Shanghai, China (2019.) I have frequently visited the Pompidou Center in Malaga.  It is an excellent museum, and I believe the Malaga experience can tell us a lot about what to expect if the Pompidou comes to Jersey City.The Malaga Center recently signed a ten-year lease with the City of Malaga, its third.  The first two leases were signed before the Pompidou’s renovation program was announced.  The new lease will last several years beyond the completion of the work in Paris and includes provisions for a step-up in Pompidou lease payments in the second five years.  This is a long-term relationship, not a short-term visit.The Malaga Pompidou exhibits I have seen have consistently reflected original approaches to the art being displayed. As gallery space in Malaga is much smaller than in Paris, the exhibits have depended more on the originality of presentation than on the number of works displayed. I expect that a Jersey City Pompidou would have a similar approach, giving local curators an opportunity to excel.  With a population of 500,000+, Malaga is the 7th largest city in Spain.  For many years it was an aging port city known as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. Then, around 2010 a Picasso Museum opened, followed by the Pompidou a few years later.  Other museums followed, and now the city has 35 museums.   Thanks to its new culturally-based prosperity, Malaga is thriving with a new subway system, a refurbished waterfront, and numerous public improvements in both the business and residential districts.  Can Jersey City expect similar benefits?  I think so.  What a coup it would be to have the Pompidou here!I hope the financial issues with the Pompidou proposal can be resolved.  With additional meetings between the community and the Paris Pompidou, I believe residents in Jersey City can be assured that the museum is truly committed to this venture.The post Op-Ed: Pompidou Malaga Provides a Model for Jersey City appeared first on Jersey City Times.