SCHENECTADY — A groundbreaking building survey, the first of its kind in the 50-year history of the Museum of Innovation and Science’s (miSci) Nott Terrace location, is set to commence shortly. The state has committed to funding up to $10 million for site enhancements identified by the survey.
In March, state and county officials struck a deal with the science museum to keep it in Schenectady. The county pledged to finance a building survey to identify necessary infrastructure improvements at the museum, which relocated to its present site in 1969.
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, revealed in April that he had secured $10 million from the state’s 2025 capital budget to cover the museum repairs outlined in the forthcoming survey.
On Thursday, Schenectady County Legislature Chair Gary Hughes announced that the county was nearing the completion of a contract with an undisclosed firm to carry out the miSci building survey. The final cost of the survey is yet to be determined, Hughes added.
In April, the county issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct the survey.
“The survey will provide us with a detailed understanding of the capital needs of the building,” Hughes stated. “Thanks to Assemblyman Santabarbara, we have capital funds earmarked from the Assembly.”
miSci Executive Director Gina Gould mentioned that the initial walkthrough for the building survey took place on Wednesday.
“We anticipate preliminary results within a month, but it could extend into late October or early November, depending on what they discover,” Gould said.
Once the survey is completed, the museum plans to reconvene with county and state officials to discuss the next steps.
“By fall, we hope to have a clear understanding of our direction and swiftly address any building needs identified,” Hughes added.
Before the agreement with the county this spring, the museum considered relocating out of the city and county. This was due to hydrostatic pressure in its basement following heavy rainfall last July, which threatened its collection of archives.
After a museum tour by Santabarbara and Hughes in March, the officials sent a letter to the museum advising miSci that relocation would cost the organization between $20-$40 million, a move they deemed financially imprudent.
Subsequent meetings arranged by Santabarbara between county and museum officials resulted in an agreement to keep the museum in Schenectady for at least another five years. He then secured the state funding.
In April, the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority granted the science museum a $99,000 grant to renovate the site’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium. The museum announced on Wednesday that James Hood’s “Mesmerica” show will be the inaugural production at the revamped planetarium, opening on Aug. 23.
The planetarium will be equipped with a new digital projection system, a state-of-the-art sound system, and refurbished seating.
“We’re thrilled about the upcoming arrival of “Mesmerica” at miSci. It’s sure to boost attendance during the slower summer months and attract more visitors to experience all that miSci has to offer,” Hughes said.
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