Grand Rapids’ Community Development Committee has approved a $3.4 million dollar contract for Owen-Ames-Kimball Company to improve the public museum’s Community Archives and Research Center, or CARC. It’s located in the former public museum building near the corner of Washington Street Southeast and Jefferson Avenue Southeast. City Engineer Tim Burkman explains.
“So, a fun fact: only ten percent of the museum’s 250,000 artifacts and specimens are actually on display at the Van Andel Museum Center. The rest are preserved at the Community Archives and Research Center.”
The project will turn two empty floors at the CARC into a modern space with a new entrance, classrooms and labs while expanding storage, allowing more people to interact with the museum’s collection.
“This project aims to provide community access to the entire collection, ensuring preservation of collections and creating engaging spaces for people to interact with these objects.”
The Michigan State Legislature granted the project $1 million in November 2024. No timeline has been given for the project.
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