National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Governor Tony Evers has announced more than $36-million federal dollars are being invested into building projects across the state. Two of those projects are in Northeast Wisconsin, including a major expansion at the National Railroad Museum.
More than a hundred thousand people from all 50 states and more than 40 countries visit the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon every year. That includes more than 12,000 school children for different educational programs.
And now, thanks to a $7-million investment from the state, through the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds, the museum is hoping to bring in even more visitors.
According to National Railroad Museum CEO, Jacqueline Frank, “We are going to be bringing in an additional $20-million economic impact, every year once it’s built. It’s going to allow us to bring our attendance up. We’re expecting by 50% within the first five years.”
The $15-million expansion project will include an additional 25,000 square feet of indoor space, including an upper mezzanine. The lower level would house additional classrooms, a kitchen, and storage space. The addition would also expand the exhibit space and tie the museum into the riverfront too with a wall of windows leading to an outdoor patio.
“It will allow us to bring more of our trains inside so we can better protect them from the public, more exhibits, more educational programs, of course more community gathering space so it’s going to do a variety of things for our organization and for the community,” said Frank.
Discussion about an expansion has been going on for more than five years, fundraising was underway, but the project wasn’t expected to start for another several years. This $7-million in ARPA funding will expedite the project with hopes to break ground early next year.
The NFL draft is going to be held here next year. If we start in April, we’re actually going to be able to finish the project in time for the NFL draft and have it open for everyone,” added Frank.
With the funding in hand, museum officials say they’ll work with their architects and board to get the project moving as quickly as possible.
In addition to the money for the the railroad museum, $330,000 is being given to the Door County Peninsula Players Theater for upgrades to its dorms.
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