A temporary, interactive children’s museum in downtown Akron was so successful last winter — nearly 10,000 people wandered through — that organizers are putting down permanent roots.
The founders of the nonprofit Akron Children’s Museum agreed Monday to lease city-owned space on the ground floor of the O’Neil’s parking deck next to Lock 3.
The hope is that the facility could be open by the earliest this summer, although that depends on how fast organizers can build exhibits.
“This is a home run for downtown and for families,” Councilman Jeff Fusco said.
The council signed off on a three-year lease for 6,500 square feet — double the size of the temporary museum, which was open for a few months and closed Feb. 15.
The nonprofit agreed to pay $32,500 a year in rent, although the city will provide a credit for any capital improvements made to the space.
The city, which hopes the museum grows, also agreed to pay all utilities.
The museum is for children up to age 12.
The temporary facility, which also was housed at the same site, featured exhibits ranging from giant Lego and Lite-Brite sets to a fitness area to a metal track where kids could race toy Soap Box Derby cars.
The Akron Children’s Museum has been in the works for years, ever since parents Ryan and Betsy Hartschuh of Sharon Township stopped by the Greensboro Children’s Museum in North Carolina and decided that they’d like to replicate it in Akron.
“Kids need inspiration for their learning and development,” Ryan Hartschuh said. “Children’s museums inspire a sense of curiosity and wonder and love of learning that set them up for success for the rest of their life.”
Parents also need engaging, creative activities to do with their kids, he added.
The nonprofit will launch a crowdfunding campaign soon to help raise money for the project.
Organizers hope to keep the admission at $5.
For more details about the museum, go to www.akronkids.org.
In other business, council:
• Approved a new law proposed by Councilman Donnie Kammer and Council President Marilyn Keith allowing neighborhood inspectors and police to ticket vehicles parked on vacant lots.
It already was illegal to park on vacant lots, but it previously was a zoning violation. That meant citations were sent to the property owner.
Now, tickets — $50 for a first offense — will be given to the vehicle owner.
It’s also illegal to park vehicles on front lawns and on side lots.
• Agreed to apply for a $4.4 million grant through the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program to hire 25 new firefighters.
• Met in executive session to discuss a threat by the American Civil Liberties Union to sue the city over its panhandling law.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.