Officials at the Barnes Foundation have chosen an opening date for the renowned art collection's new home in downtown Philadelphia.
The Barnes will open its new home on May 19 at 20th and the Ben Franklin Parkway.
The announcement Thursday came even as a judge continues to weigh whether the masterpieces should be moved at all from their current suburban home.
Foundation officials have been embroiled in a years-long legal battle over the multibillion-dollar collection.
A judge ruled in 2004 that officials could break the will of founder Albert Barnes and move the art from Lower Merion because of crippling financial problems. The judge is re-examining the ruling after a group opposed to the move alleged in a lawsuit that he didn't have all the evidence when he made the decision.
But the ruling is now being re-examined. A group opposed to the move alleged in a lawsuit that the judge didn't have all the evidence when he made his decision.
The Philadelphia facility has been under construction since 2009.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Barnes president Derek Gillman said Thursday he is confident the new facility will open in May.
