SOUTH STREET SEAPORT — The Seaport Museum New York may be able to stay afloat after all.
Advocates said they were heartened after holding a first meeting Friday with the Museum of the City of New York, which has expressed interest in taking over the Seaport Museum as an annex.
"It was a wonderfully productive initial meeting," said David Sheldon, a longtime Seaport Museum volunteer who spoke on behalf of Save Our Seaport.
"The [Museum of the City of New York] was very receptive to all the information we provided. Both sides are open to future meetings."
Sheldon, who did not attend the meeting, said he could not reveal who was there, but it did not include representatives of the Seaport Museum or of the city Department of Cultural Affairs, which is overseeing the plans.
The Seaport Museum has been struggling financially for months and last February closed its galleries and laid off more than half its staff.
Peter Stanford, who founded the Seaport Museum in 1967 and is leading the effort to revive it, said he is pleased that the talks with the Museum of the City of New York are moving forward.
"[The Museum of the City of New York] could be a tremendous ally," Stanford said. "I hope we'll be able to continue working together."
The Museum of the City of New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
