The Executive Director of the Curious Kids Museum is hoping to turn a near tragedy into a huge opportunity for the 33-year-old non-profit group that operates one of downtown St. Joseph’s centerpiece attractions.
Lori Marciniak told St. Joe/Benton Harbor Rotarians this week that after reviewing the damage, CKM is at a crossroads with its building and exhibits. Marciniak revealed that “more than 50% of the exhibits are a total loss.”
Another 30%, some of them with electronic components, are “under review” for possible repair or updating. That leaves only 20% of the CKM exhibits merely needing cleaning, and now having been placed in storage.
Lori Marciniak
Marciniak said it was quite deceiving right after the early morning fire on Tuesday, July 5. There was not a lot of flame visible. And firefighters did their best to avoid pouring thousands of gallons of water directly on the exhibits. However, when it was all over, there was smoke, foam, water and moisture damage throughout the three-story building, a portion of which dates back to 1910.
Each day after the fire, she said more damage became apparent. And, as staff members tackled the cleanup, they uncovered new issues. For instance, as ruined carpeting was removed, asbestos tile was discovered underneath. Those floors would need to be replaced under today’s building standards.
When Marciniak’s calculator eventually stops flashing a new total, it’s likely that it will cost a minimum of $ 5 Million Dollars—after insiurance reimbursement—to repair, replace and reopen the Curious Kids Museum. That’s why, when Moms and kids call to ask, “When are you reopening?”, they get no direct answer. Instead, they are reminded that the Curious Kids Discovery Zone in the Silver Beach Center is still open and welcoming young faces.
Early estimates say it will cost $400 to $500 per square foot to reopen the CKM’s 9,000 square feet of space. Marciniak and her Board suggest it would not be prudent to spend at that level without a complete planning process that “re-imagines the future” of the museum beyond occupying space in an old city-owned building in a great location.
She told Rotarians there are three alternatives:
*Restore, redecorate and brighten the museum along past lines
*Reconfigure, remodel and update for today’s target audience, probably involving an addition
*Start from scratch with a new building designed as a Kids Museum
Marciniak quickly said she doesn’t see the third option—tearing down the historic old building—as a realistic choice. She seemed to lean strongly toward the second alternative as the right course for CKM, based on what she knows right now. However, the Board has engaged a museum architectural and planning firm to create a CKM Master Plan that will guide their decisions going forward.
She had high praise for the CKM’s ‘landlord’, the City of St. Joseph. “The City has been an amazing partner throughout this”, she said. “They have encouraged us to ‘Dream Big’ and then decide.”
Whatever is decided as ghe future course for CKM, they’ll get a head start on the funding at their Annual Gala Fund-raiser next month. Marciniak said the event is already a success!
“Celebrate Curiosity 2022, an evening at Etre Farms” is on September 30th, and is sold out! As our annual fundraising gala, it serves as a fun night to celebrate the museums, and helps to fund exhibit creation, and also funds our educational outreach programs, where we take mobile exhibits to schools, libraries, area festivals, and other settings such as daycare facilities and camps.
This year, the added fire recovery information and funding need will also be shared with guests at the Fund-raiser. It’s hoped preliminary drawings and renderings will be available..
Lori Marciniak was a recipient in the 2021 MoodyOnTheMarket ‘Bold Women of Business’ awards.
