Minnesota Children's Museum expansion unveiled
Updated 2:20 p.m. | Posted 7:15 a.m.
The Minnesota Children's Museum unveiled Friday what the museum's $28 million renovation will look like.
The expansion and renovation will include largely redesigned galleries, new gathering spaces and additional play areas like a four-story climbing tower.
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It's the most extensive renovation since the museum has been in its current location on West 7th Street in St. Paul.
Spokesperson Bob Ingrassia said the expansion will help kids learn in a fun way.
"The galleries will help kids develop really important skills like creativity, and collaboration, communication skills, critical thinking," Ingrassia said. "So while the kids are going to be having a blast with this expansion, they're also going to be learning a lot."
Half of the necessary funds for the expansion and renovation came from the state of Minnesota. The city of St. Paul, Target Corporation and Best Buy, among others, are also contributing to the project.
Construction is set to start in the fall of 2015. The museum will close from September 2016 to December 2016 for the final phases of the construction. It will reopen in January 2017.