The Virginia Museum of Natural History facilities committee met informally to receive project updates on Douglas Avenue, Starling Avenue, the planned Gillen Explorer Center and other facilities work; committee members did not take formal action because the group lacked a quorum.

Committee members and staff were briefed on a proposed scope-of-work study for the Douglas Avenue property that staff said would cost approximately $50,000. The study is intended to detail HVAC, electrical, plumbing and building-envelope work; staff said the scope is likely to be delivered in two parts to align with maintenance funding and that the overall rehabilitation could extend two to three years once work begins. The museum’s architect is expected to join the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) reaccreditation site visit to the Douglas facility, staff said, to demonstrate the project is being advanced.

Discussion of the Starling Avenue pavilion was deferred for a closed session at a future full board meeting. Staff described the current concern as the pace of work and said that, once contractors resume work, roughly two weeks of physical work remain; the committee agreed to address details during the closed session rather than in public briefing.

Staff reported that shelving from the museum’s former library space has been posted on the state surplus system for public bidding. The current posting price is $75,000; museum staff said a successful bidder would also be responsible for removal costs estimated at roughly $20,000. Once cleared, the cleared space — described by staff as about 1,700 square feet for the main space plus a few hundred square feet in an adjoining workroom — is planned to become a multiuse exhibition and programming site referred to in the meeting as the Gillen Explorer Center (also called the Young Explorer Center in some discussion). Staff said the space could host festivals and events once the shelving and removal are complete.

Museum staff said they will submit a request for congressionally directed spending in support of the Explorer Center and will coordinate with both the senator’s and the congressman’s offices. Staff referenced prior applications to federal sources including National Science Foundation grants; they said last year’s congressional request earned support but did not secure funding.

Work on the museum’s driveway and parking area also drew an update. Staff said a new layer of tar was applied but cold weather affected painted striping and markings; several painted arrows and lines will need to be repainted and staff reported meetings with the contractor to ensure completion before final acceptance.

The committee received an update on the mobile science outreach trailer located in Waynesboro. Staff said a vendor in Baltimore with prior experience evaluating similar trailers will perform a full evaluation and provide a proposal. Reported issues include a slide that will not fully retract, lighting changes made by a prior operator, HVAC and hydraulic checks, and worn tires; staff said repairs will likely wait for warmer weather and that the trailer’s availability could affect the museum’s presence at Waynesboro RiverFest.

On a separate outreach project, staff described progress on a trail installation funded in part by Dominion. Parks and recreation staff will supply content, the museum’s 3D print shop will produce specimen models, and an outside vendor is lined up for fabrication; staff said local parks staff expect about a week to install the stations. The parks team is considering a ribbon-cutting for the South River Preserve in July or August and museum staff said they will provide an update to the city on timing.

The committee discussed long-term collections needs. Research and collections staff, to be overseen by Ben, will produce a report identifying space shortfalls across the museum’s main collection areas to support future building additions and use of Douglas Avenue for storage. Staff raised a proposal to move genetic collections (cryogenic freezers) to Douglas Avenue, but said that would require electrical upgrades, alarm connectivity and backup power to meet equipment requirements; those technical conditions must be confirmed by scientific staff before any move.

Because the meeting lacked a quorum the committee made no motions and recorded no votes; members treated the session as informational and planned to bring several items to the full board (including a closed-session discussion of the Starling Avenue pavilion) at a later meeting.