THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The Richmond Children's Museum will move from a cramped former school auditorium to a much larger, state-owned building next door to the Science Museum of Virginia, officials said Tuesday.
Gov. George F. Allen was among the government and museum officials who signed an agreement to relocate the children's museum to a 30,000-square-foot building by the year 2000.
Officials hailed the new site as a natural for the children's museum, which attracts about 60,000 visitors a year.
``What we're creating today is what I would call a learning zone,'' Allen said at a signing ceremony. ``It will be easier and more convenient for children, their parents and tourists to visit and experience Virginia's treasures.''
Allen said the agreement benefits all Virginians by putting underutilized state property to better use. The museum's future home is now occupied by the state Department of Taxation and used as a warehouse.
A neighboring Alcoholic Beverage Control store will be torn down to make room for a parking lot that will be shared by the two museums.
The 8,000-square-foot building that now houses the children's museum is owned by the city of Richmond. It will be turned over to the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park Authority, a life sciences research park adjacent to the nearby Medical College of Virginia.
Richard A. Arenstein, chairman of the children's museum's site selection committee, said the search for a new site began six years ago.
``It has been a complicated and trying effort, but what has emerged is reflective of the best that is in all of us - a triumphant example of the good that can come to a community when people work together,'' he said.
Nan Miller, director of the museum, said the new site will provide much-needed room for growth, along with ample parking and a safe environment.
She said building renovation is expected to cost $6 million to $12 million, with the money coming from a variety of private and public sources. City Manager Robert Bobb said the proposed city budget calls for spending $800,000 on the project over the next five years. No state funds have been committed.
Miller said a fund-raising campaign will begin soon. ILLUSTRATION: B\W ASSOCIATED PRESS photo<
While Gov. George F. Allen speaks at the Richmond Children's Museum
on Tuesday, a few children - who were visiting from a local day care
class - fight off boredom. Allen hailed the museum's move as
``easier and more convenient.''
by CNB