Construction on the modernized New Brunswick Museum should begin in the next few months.
Museum officials confirmed the timeline during an appearance before Saint John council on Monday.
They are seeking a municipal plan amendment and rezoning in order for the project on Douglas Avenue to move ahead.
Michael Leckman, principal of Diamond Schmitt Architects, said the redevelopment is an important next step in the museum’s history.
“Important to New Brunswickers all across the province, to the national and international research communities, and to citizens and families of Saint John,” Leckman said during the public hearing.
Officials decided to renovate the existing museum and add an expansion rather than building a brand new facility.
When finished, the 134,000-square-foot facility will house research, exhibition, and community spaces under one roof, including a café, boutique, and library.
Provincial and federal officials announced nearly $108 million in funding for the long-awaited project in March. The museum will soon be launching a fundraising campaign for its portion.
Staff are currently operating out of a temporary research and collections centre on Lancaster Avenue.
Brent Suttie, chief operations officer at the museum, said they intend to keep that space once the revitalized museum is open.
“The public face, where everybody would come to see the exhibits, will be at Douglas Avenue, but a lot of the behind-the-scenes work will happen at Lancaster,” said Suttie.
As part of the work, the city and the museum would share the costs of upgrading the Douglas Avenue/Bentley Street crosswalks into lighted sidewalks.
Two covered transit stops would be installed south of 277 Douglas Avenue, Harbour Passage would be extended, and the museum’s new parking lot would serve as a snow ban lot for local residents.
Four neighbouring houses will need to be demolished in order to make way for the expanded museum.
However, one of those homes is part of the Douglas Avenue Heritage Conservation Area and would need to have its heritage designation removed.
Council gave its initial approval to that request on Monday, in addition to the municipal plan amendment and rezoning.
Councillor Gary Sullivan said it makes sense to keep the museum in its original location, even if it means losing a heritage property.
“While it’s unfortunate that we lose a heritage property, not lost on me is the heritage property that we retain and improve upon,” said Sullivan, referring to the museum.
As part of the proposed staff recommendation, the original 1934 museum and King George Hall would be designated as a heritage property.
Council is expected to consider third reading of the municipal plan amendment, rezoning, and heritage de-designation at its next meeting on May 27.
