The Detroit Free Press covers new Discovery Center to open in downtown Mount Clemens late spring 2020.
After years of planning, a museum with hands-on science and technology activities for children and teens is slated to open in Macomb County in the spring.
The Discovery Center, formerly known as the Macomb Children’s Hands On Museum, is expected to open in March or early April in downtown Mount Clemens — possibly giving the county seat an economic boost from school groups and weekend visitors.
Downtown visitors can get a sneak peek on New Year’s Eve when the center will be open, with free admission, from 4-9 p.m., ahead of the city’s traditional fireworks display.
The center occupies 12,500 square feet in a former Hallmark store at 70 Macomb Place, near many downtown restaurants and businesses.
The windows are painted and sponsorship information was recently posted on the front doors.
“It just seems like the timing is right in Mount Clemens. All the pieces came together,” said Dusty Welsh, the center’s interim executive director. “It does take a village to make this happen.”
While the concept for the center initially focused on activities for younger children, it grew to become more inclusive for older ages, too.
Welsh said there is a demand for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming aimed at teens, not only in Macomb County but across southeast Michigan.
“We are excited to be part of this effort to bring a STEAM-based children’s experience to Macomb County,” said Monika Rittner, founder and president of the board of directors. “The location that was selected in downtown Mount Clemens is optimal for serving the children and families of southeast Michigan. We are fortunate to be working with Nick Rizzo of GTR Companies who sees the potential impact of the museum on the area.”
Organizers said GTR Companies owns the building; and the center has a 10-year lease.
The location offers one of the best areas for school bus parking, Welsh said. The site is located near several city surface lots.
Newly elected Mount Clemens Mayor Laura Kropp said the city has long been considered the downtown of the county.
The addition of The Discovery Center “helps to solidify our place as a downtown, with options for family-friendly experiences, art (and) culture, entertainment, and great food,” she said, adding that officials are “thrilled” the center is part of the downtown revitalization.
Welsh said the center may work with existing resources, such as the Anton Art Center and the historic Crocker House Museum, to provide options for activities.
Organizers are estimating about 30,000 visitors in the first year. Hours and admission pricing have not been released, but Welsh said there would be a discount for Mount Clemens and Macomb County residents. Pricing may be announced in mid-February.
Organizers said the Museum Without Walls hands-on exhibit, a STEAM Station Science Lab and other educational displays would be on the lower floor. The main level would house a Space Odyssey exhibit about spaceships, galaxies and astronautic adventures and other types of displays.
She said organizers are working with the city, the Downtown Development Authority and other entities, such as corporate sponsors and other similar museums, for partnerships, programs and exhibits it may be able to share or lease.
Welsh said while the center is leasing the space, it would be interested in acquiring the spot. She said the nonprofit started with private donations and now is in position for corporate sponsorships for funding and grants.
A dedicated paid team for the center is important, she said, but organizers also are looking to have the help of docents, who may be retired educators or professors, and volunteers.
The center is offering holiday science lab workshops for children ages 5 to 10 on Friday and Saturday — a docent-led program with hands-on science experiments, art projects and open museum play. The cost is $25 per child, which covers supplies for the day, said Welsh, who helped launch The Nest Collaborative, a women’s artisan marketplace in the downtown.
For more information about The Discovery Center, go to www.discoverymacomb.org.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.
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