A decade-old plan to build a planetarium, observatory and theater complex at the State Museum could get a jump-start with $5.3 million for it included in a draft state budget.

The money, if it clears the General Assembly and Gov. Mark Sanford’s desk, would be added to previous state and federal grants and private fundraising, leaving the museum just a few years — and a few million dollars — short of the total needed. Construction could start as early as fall 2007.

It would put back on the front burner the $18.5 million project last discussed in earnest several years ago, before the state faced annual budget crunches.

The planetarium is part of $130 million in “nonessential” projects split from the main budget and placed in a supplemental spending bill. House Republican leaders split the budget into separate bills in response to concerns the governor and others raised about spending beyond a pre-set cap.

Some House members have questioned funding for the museum project.

The House Ways and Means Committee is likely to vote on its draft budget today, but the planetarium, observatory and theater could come under fire again when the budget reaches the House floor next week.

“This is not some local pork barrel project,” said Rep. Bill Cotty, R-Richland, the lead sponsor. “It’s the place where you see the past and where you go to see the future.”

The State Museum first proposed the project in the 1990s, but put the idea on hold while lawmakers tightened budgets. But with nearly $1 billion available this year through carryover dollars and projected increases in revenue, the State Museum complex could be back on the books.

“The museum has basically been the same product for about 18 years now,” museum director Willie Calloway said. “We desperately need to upgrade the product to be competitive.”

The project would add new features to the museum:

• The observatory telescope could digitize images, which means the views of celestial objects could be beamed to classrooms around the state through ETV or other methods.

• The theater would show a 3-D movie about South Carolina history and could immerse students in the experience with environmental effects. If the wind blows in the movie, for example, those in the theater would feel it, as well.

• The planetarium would seat about 125 and could show images from the telescope on its screen.

It would be the only museum in the country to offer all three features, Calloway said, and all three would be built within the existing museum space. Admission fees would cover operating costs.

Some state lawmakers say the project is a symbol of a bloated budget that spends too much.

“My people in York aren’t going to drive to use it,” said Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-York, the project’s most vocal critic.

Existing planetariums in S.C. include the Stanback Planetarium at S.C. State University in Orangeburg, the Settlemyre Planetarium in Rock Hill and an observatory in Greenville.

During budget debate last week, a subcommittee stripped $1 million from the project to pay for other state needs, including tourism advertising and an access road for a Charleston port.

“It’s a nice thing to have, but we do have one in the state (in Greenville)” said Rep. Shirley Hinson, R-Berkeley, who tried to redirect some of the money. “It’s probably not one of the high-priority items.”

Cotty said the museum cut jobs — not just left them vacant — during tight budget years and has scaled back initial designs, which included an IMAX theater with a $50 million price tag.

Approving the money this year is critical, Cotty said, because the museum could lose a $2 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The museum might also be able to line up corporate and foundation donations with the state allocation.

Calloway hopes the museum can raise at least $5.5 million, meaning grants and private donations would pay for half the project.

“I had to hold the fort and try to knock off four people trying to raid that fund,” Cotty said, “and we’ll have to hold the fort on the floor, too.”

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.