Officials from Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation have awarded LeChase Construction the Explore & More Children's Museum project.
NEW: Erie Canal Harbor Development has awarded developer LeChase Construction the project for the Explore & More Children's Museum @WKBW
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 20, 2016
The Rochester-based company is currently working on plans, and expects work to be done in June of 2018.
"The timeline is breaking ground in the spring of next year," said Erie Canal Harbor Development Chairman Robert Gioia. "We're probably talking early fall of 2018 that they should be open."
7 Eyewitness News asked officials from LeChase if the timetable is realistic.
"I think they've addressed the curve ball, you know, the project has a schedule now that we believe is very doable," Buffalo Director Jeff Panza said.
In total, Explore and More CEO Douglas Love believes the project will cost approximately $27 million.
"The fundraising is going strong we have raised almost $8 million. ($9 million has been awarded by ECHDC) We have about another $10 million to go to go as far as what we're doing with the interior of the building...so we are on target."
Here's where Explore & More stands financially. Need approx $27M for project. They've raised approx $7.5M. ECHD gave $9M. $10M left @WKBW
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 20, 2016
The Explore and More Museum, which is currently in East Aurora, has been working on the move for several years. It's new location will be near the Canalside curling rinks.
