Children’s museum ideas flowing
The El Paso Community Foundation held a public forum Wednesday morning with strategic planners from Gyroscope Inc. to discuss the future of the Children’s Museum.
Maeryta Medrano, president of Gyroscope, said its goal is to bring unique elements to the Children’s Museum in El Paso that engage families from “abuelas” to older siblings.
“Bringing in science, technology, engineering and math — and the arts, we call it STEAM — is a trend in the field we’ve been working in for a long period of time,” said Medrano.
El Paso Community Foundation President and CEO Eric Pearson said Gyroscope’s involvement is a part of a three-part process that helps define the overall experience.
The former Greyhound Lines maintenance facility at 201 W. Main St. has already been cleared. Pearson said although the museum will be in Downtown El Paso, he wants its reach to transcend city limits.
“We’re going to bring in another consultant who will develop an architectural contest for the design of the building,” said Pearson. “We have everybody in this entire Paso del Norte region having input from the beginning to the end of the process, and that is wonderful.”
The $19 million, 30,000 square-foot museum was approved as a part of the Quality of Life Bond.
“We pledged $10 million to help do the initial discovery phase; bring it to concept,” said Pearson. “Then the city takes it over and builds the museum.”
Once construction is complete Pearson said that the El Paso Community Foundation will reclaim the museum and lease it with a nonprofit.
Another open forum is planned for 5 p.m. Thursday at the El Paso Community Foundation at 333 N. Oregon St. across from San Jacinto Plaza. Community members are encouraged to attend and share their ideas for the Children’s Museum.
