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Planning board endorses Brown museum campus rezoning; museum outlines $145–$150 million capital plan
Summary
The board recommended rezoning about 62.9 acres to create a unified Brown museum campus with expanded galleries, a 200‑seat planetarium and collection storage. Tabitha Schmidt (CEO) and representatives said the project includes a major philanthropic gift and will increase educational programming; public comment praised the project while some urged care for preserved trees.
The Planning Board on July 23 recommended that the City Commission approve rezoning approximately 62.9 acres to Plan Development General to establish the Brown museum campus and enable a multi‑phase capital expansion.
Luke Rinkas presented the staff recommendation; Rob Merrill and Tabitha Schmidt (CEO of the Brown) described a master plan that consolidates parcels and builds a new two‑story public building with a prominent spherical feature, a 60‑foot tilted‑dome 200‑seat planetarium, expanded galleries and a 10,000‑square‑foot collection storage facility. Schmidt said the museum has received a lead gift with significant matching support and that roughly $145–$150 million is being targeted for capital and endowment growth.
Public comment included praise for the cultural investment and concerns about tree removal on portions of the campus; the board voted to recommend approval and forwarded the rezoning package to the City Commission.
