Construction on a Children’s Museum in Santa Barbara is slated to kick off in June 2014 (courtesy image)

SPECIAL REPORT | Jan. 17-23, 2014

By: Marlize Van Romburgh
Staff Writer

Construction on a 17,000-square-foot Children’s Museum in Santa Barbara kicks off this summer. Area general contractor Armstrong Associates has been tapped to build the new museum at 125 State St., adjacent to the train station. Construction will start in June, and the museum is scheduled to open its doors in 2016, according to the firm.

Designed by the late architect Barry Berkus, the building will feature 15,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, a rooftop garden, a classroom and a museum store. The vision for a children’s museum aimed at advancing youngsters’ exposure to science, technology, engineering, arts and math — or STEAM — has in large part been spearheaded by area business leaders.

According to Armstrong, the project will also be Santa Barbara County’s first museum to gain Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, or LEED, certification.