Our New Site at Canalside!

It’s a GO!

4 story South Aud

Draft Conceptual Rendering

On September 16th, the Board of ECHDC voted to accept the term agreement for Explore & More’s new site in the South Aud Block at Canalside. Over just a few yards from our originally proposed site, this new site sits on both towpaths, and will give the Museum a stand-alone building with more usable space inside and out.  That’s GREAT news for Explore & More, but EVEN BETTER news for the children and families of Western New York, and the hundreds of Buffalo voices that contributed to these plans for a world-class institution on Buffalo’s waterfront.

press conference for new site

From left to right at the press conference announcing the new site: E&M Board President Matt Davison, Senator Marc Panepinto, Senator Tim Kennedy, Congressman Brian Higgins, E&M Director of Waterfront Expansion Barbara Leggett, ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia, Mayor Byron Brown, NYPA Chairman John Koelmel, Regional President of Empire State Development Sam Hoyt, E&M Capital Campaign Chair and Managing Partner of Phillips Lytle David McNamara

 

As ECHDC Board Chairman and John R. Oishei Foundation President Robert Gioia said at the press conference that day, “Canalside’s future is looking brighter than ever as we move forward with improved plans for the Explore & More Children’s Museum. ECHDC shares Explore & More’s optimism and enthusiasm for a children’s museum on the South Aud Block. The museum will add to our success for making Canalside a year-round attraction for all ages.”

When ECHDC first proposed this new site, we had our work cut out for us.  Knowing that our community deserved nothing less than a dynamic, engaging and sustainable institution, Explore & More needed to perform the necessary due diligence to make sure the new site could deliver on the plans that had been developed in collaboration with the community, our staff, our board, our donors, our visitors, and the area’s leaders.  After careful and thorough review across all categories, the result was two big thumbs up!  This new site gives the Museum its own building, which allows for greater safety and comfort for our visitors, more room to grow, and more sponsorship opportunities for greater sustainability.  It also offers more useable space inside and out – letting us accommodate more happy visitors!

And so our work begins a new, finalizing floor plans and getting everything set to put shovels in the ground next year!  We expect to open at Canalside in the second half of 2018, but you know us – we’ve been a part of the fabric of Canalside for quite some time already.  We continue to build our programs there and across Western New York, and increase our offerings, piloting new programs and exhibits, at our current location in East Aurora…so you don’t have to wait at all to enjoy the full Explore & More experience right now.  See you soon!

 

Field trips are back! Please be aware that it will be busier than usual.