The executive director of Lexington’s children’s museum says several steps are being taken to increase visitor numbers and raise additional revenues. Lee Ellen Martin offered an update this week to members of the city council’s General Government and Social Services Committee in making a case to restore some $41,000 in government funding.
Martin noted summer attendance is up 5% over last year. In addition she says the admission price was raised a dollar, contributions are up, and the museum is renting out birthday activity items.
Committee Member Richard Moloney believes parking remains a barrier at the Short Street location. He asked about partnering with Fayette County Schools to, as he put it, “take it to the next level.”
“But, I vision that this is really an education part and I don’t know why the board, Fayette County schools will not help you more than they are right now. As you know, they are getting ready to move some of their buildings around and they’ve got a lot of space. A lot of parking spaces,” said Moloney.
Martin says the Explorium Board is just beginning to investigate the possibility of a move from its current location downtown. She says there are four years remaining on the lease and no change would be made during that period. If consideration is given to a move, Martin says there are issues to consider. “What would be the downside of not being in downtown? What’s the upside? There’s some big questions that we’ve got with that so, we’re doing that kind of research right now because obviously if we’re going to undertake this, we want to make sure we get it right,” said Martin.
Council Member Jennifer Reynolds said the $22,000 a month for rent and utilities is exorbitant. Council will revisit the museum funding issue later this fall.
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