Work in progress: Cape Girardeau children's museum plans spring opening

Dirt and plaster dust cover the floors, hiding splintering wood. Wires hang from the ceiling. Upstairs, cool air rushes through a broken window.

Save for some bricks, a tarp and some folding chairs, the wide space is bare.

But Martha Brown sees possibilities. From the instant she stepped into the former furniture store, she envisioned it as a children's museum, bustling with activity. In February, Brown, president of the Discovery Playhouse's board of directors, announced the building would be the new site for the museum. She anticipated a summer opening.

Her vision is slowly progressing.

About $140,000 — $360,000 short of the goal — has been raised. Workers replaced the roof and demolished certain interior walls. Extensive work on electrical, sprinkler and heating and cooling systems is still needed. The new opening date is scheduled for March or April.

"Work is going slow on renovation because we're trying to save as much money as possible," Brown said. "Frugal is a good word for it. The more money we save on renovation, the more we can put toward acquisition."

The museum is operating on a lease-purchase agreement. The purchase price for the 502 Broadway space is $290,000. Renovations are expected to cost between $200,000 and $300,000.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Kevin Priester, a member of the board of directors, and Martha Brown, president of the Southeast Missouri Children's Museum board of directors, have been working to renovate the building at 502 Broadway to make a home for the Discovery Playhouse. Funding has been an issue, causing the project to fall behind.

Businesses that donate money will receive half of their money back in the form of a state tax credit. The Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded $250,000 for the credits.

"We expect the economy has had an effect, but hopefully there are people out there that see what a fantastic opportunity this is and will be able to donate. A lot of people get serious about donating for tax credits as it gets closer to the end of the year," Brown said.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows facing Broadway allow the public a glimpse at the renovations underway. Workers have removed a plaster and lath ceiling, leaving wood supports exposed. Electrical wires and a sprinkler system will be installed and left unconcealed for children to view.

Other tasks include refinishing the floors, installing a new heating and cooling system and renovating bathrooms. Tasks such as painting and cleaning will be left primarily to volunteers.

Used merchandise was purchased from the former K's Merchandise at salvage prices.

"There's always questions with old buildings, but considering the building's age, it really is in pretty good shape. This thing is solid," said Kevin Priester, vice president of the museum board who is overseeing renovations.

The children's museum operated at West Park Mall from June 2006 to mid-2007, closing to move to a bigger location at 101 William St. When plans fell through, board members decided on the Broadway location.

At first, only a portion of the 18,000-square-foot facility will be used. Besides a furniture store, a three-story section in the back was used formerly by an undertaker. Demolition work is being completed on the second and third stories, but they are not expected to open as exhibit space until fall 2009 and fall 2010, respectively.

The museum plans to build a parking lot behind the museum and to buy the structure in spring 2009. An outdoor play area will eventually be constructed there, and plans call for a river overlook area or observatory to be installed on the roof of the back building in 2011.

When complete, the museum will feature interactive exhibits such as banking, grocery, music and fitness centers.

"We're really lacking in places for kids to learn and have fun. Families and kids need a place in this town to go to," Brown said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

388-3627