Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

4:50 a.m. • 2-10-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Rain.
    • Hi: 58° F
  • Sat: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 54° F
  • Sun: Clear.
    • Hi: 43° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Kidzu children's museum plans to grow


e-mail print friendly
Kidzu Museum
Kidzu Museum

The two-year-old Kidzu Children's Museum has been considering relocation options that could increase its space by five times.

Kidzu and the town of Chapel Hill signed a letter of intent to enter good-faith negotiations about a 15,000-square foot space on top the Wallace Parking Plaza, 150 E. Rosemary St. The museum could also use space for outdoor programming, activities and exhibits.

"This is an exciting time for Kudzu, and we're very pleased with this progress in our discussions with the Town of Chapel Hill," Cathy Maris, Kiduz's executive director, said in a e-mail.

The letter stipulates that "the space would be made available at little or no charge to Kidzu" and that the lease would be long term.

A version of the letter, introduced at a Sept. 8 Town Council, meeting sets Nov. 24 as a date to present a formal agreement to councilors.

An anonymous donor has also offered Kidzu use of a 2.5-acre lot in Carrboro, Maris said. Although that offer is appealing, Maris said, it would benefit the museum to stay closer to University of Chapel and its many volunteers who live in the town.

"As a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring children to learn through play, we are enormously grateful for all the support we've received from the community," Maris said.

The museum has not sent an amount on how much money the museum could raise for the relocation, Maris said.

The museum has outgrown the 3,000-square-foot storefront at 105 E. Franklin St. it has occupied since opening in March 2006, Maris said.  Nearly 30,000 people visited the museum during its first year of operation.

Space constraints have limited Kidzu to hosting only one exhibit at a time, Maris said in March, when the town and museum were considering other relocation options.

Kidzu has been hosting its first original exhibit, "KidZoom: The Power of Creativity!" featuring works by over a dozen local artists and craftspeople.

The museum will also be offering free dental care, from screenings to toothbrushes, for children this Sunday 1-4:30 p.m. The museum offers free admission on Sundays, thanks to the support of Durham Regional Hospital.

RELATED TOPICS: Carrboro, Durham

e-mail print friendly

0 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS
Report It

Multimedia

Click Here