NORMAL – The Children’s Discovery Museum is gearing up for its next decades of exhibits and projects with a new master plan.

The “Healthy Me!” The exhibit, a medical facility on the first floor, was unveiled this month and was the last exhibit to describe the current master plan.

More than a decade after this plan was implemented, the normal city council will vote on Monday to begin work on a new exhibition master plan.

“Knowing that our museum is a much loved and much visited attraction “with over 2 million visitors to date,” the city wants to keep our assets relevant, “said Cathy Oloffson, city communications director.

The master plan will help museum staff to keep the facility up-to-date, accessible and secure, as well as to secure grants, “allowing our taxpayers’ money to go further,” he said. she declared.

Having this “formal planning document is important to keep museum staff focused on a vision and to keep the museum up to date,” said Oloffson.

On Monday, city council will consider a resolution accepting and authorizing a contract with JRA, a Cincinnati-based attraction design company. If approved, JRA will begin work in January to present a final master plan for exhibitions in the spring.

JRA’s proposal includes professional planning services and is estimated to cost $ 45,000 plus expenses under $ 5,000. The master plan is part of the 2021-2022 budget, not to exceed $ 50,000.

CDM staff reviewed four formal proposals from design firms and determined that JRA best matched the plan’s needs, city officials said.

The city council is also expected to approve the 2022 meeting schedule and approve an appointment to the human relations commission.