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Stamford board approves $3 million to finish planetarium and observatory project
Summary
The Planning Board unanimously approved a $3 million supplemental capital appropriation request for the planetarium and observatory at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, funding needed after COVID‑era price escalation. Museum leaders said occupancy is planned after Labor Day and additional state and bank funding is in place.
The Stamford Planning Board on April 8 approved a $3,000,000 supplemental capital appropriation (CP‑3152) to help complete construction and equipment for the planetarium and observatory at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
Melissa Mulroney and Peggy Boehm, speaking for the museum, said project costs rose from roughly $11–12 million to more than $16 million after the COVID period and subsequent bidding. "We are asking the city for a $3,000,000 appropriation to get us to the finish line," Mulroney said, adding the museum has pursued federal earmarks and taken out a bank loan to cover remaining costs.
Museum staff outlined other funding activity: federal grant requests championed by U.S. senators and a $2 million state bond commission allocation that has been committed but not yet released. Peggy Boehm said the city would not issue bonds for the appropriation, and finance staff confirmed the appropriation would come from the city's capital nonrecurring (cash on hand) account rather than long‑term debt.
Board members pressed on timing and oversight. Museum representatives said they have hard bid numbers and expect to occupy and open the facility after Labor Day. Ravi Subramanian moved approval; Chet Salat seconded. The board approved the appropriation unanimously.
The museum team thanked the board for support and said they will continue fundraising to cover remaining costs.
