The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is asking for an additional $2 million from Durham County Commissioners. The cost of construction prices has gone up and has left the museum facing a multimillion-dollar funding gap.
The request was presented to the Durham County Board of Commissioners during their work session Monday and is expected to be considered for approval at the board’s October 12 regular meeting.
The museum is asking for $2 million in county PAYGO funding to help complete projects associated with a $13.9 million bond package approved by Durham County voters back in 2022.
According to county documentsinflation and tariffs have increased the cost of construction, material, labor and exhibit fabrication costs since voters approved the bonds a few years ago.The museum is still facing an estimated $3.5 million funding gap, even after making changes to some projects and changing its plans for a new restaurant.
The additional $2 million would allow the museum to keep moving forward with construction contracts for the restaurant while the museum continues to raise private money for its remaining capital needs.The museum has already raised almost $1 million through its Building Bonds Campaign and plans another fundraiser with a goal of raising an additional $1 million.
If approved, the county funding would increase the budget for the Museum of Life and Sciences Museum Program and Event Infrastructure Capital Project to $7.85 million. The museum’s larger campus transformation is an $18.5 million effort supported by county bond funding, state funding and private donations.
Source: www.wral.com
