Philly Home for Barnes Collection to Open May 19

The Barnes Foundation will open a new home for its renowned art collection on May 19 in downtown Philadelphia.

The announcement Thursday comes 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.

Barnes president Derek Gillman said Thursday he is confident the new facility will open in May.