Staff at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land is looking to incorporate renovations in the next three years.
At a glance
At a Nov. 3 joint meeting, Museum Executive Director Kavita Self asked the city of Sugar Land to fund part of the museum's proposed $4 million renovations, which would include adding life-sized sculptures, upgraded exhibits and accessibility improvements.
With 17 years of operation, museum officials are looking at ways to strengthen scientific literacy and stay inspiring for the next 20 years, Self said. She said she hopes to double the number of visitors in 10 years and engage different age groups, including high schoolers and college students.
A sneak peek
The renovations, which are still in the early stages and subject to change, include improving:
Proposed exterior improvements include adding life-sized sculptures of dinosaurs and locally found reptiles in the parking lot, Self said. The outdoor area would also have a hands-on water exhibit telling the story of water, along with new exterior signage and parking lot improvements.
Proposed first-floor improvements include a dinosaur-themed ride and an early learning area, along with improving accessibility through touch-based stations, audio tours and fossil-dig station modifications, Self said.
The proposed gallery improvements include expanding the fossil display in the Hall of Paleontology and expanding the Hall of Life Science to reflect the Texas landscape, such as the Hill Country and prairies.
The proposed Hall of Earth Science would focus on Earth’s four spheres, and the Hall of Space Science would allow visitors to use that knowledge to evaluate different planets in space, Self said.
The three-year project would only shut down one gallery at a time, which would allow the museum as a whole to stay open during construction, Self said.
Notable quote
“We really believe [in] showing people how science and the appreciation of the natural world around us is really woven into every part of their lives,” Self said. “This would represent an investment in that vision.”
The history
The museum—housed in a 43,000-square-foot former prison—opened in 2009 under a public and private partnership. The city and the Sugar Land 4B Corp. paid $6 million to modernize the building, according to agenda documents.
The museum has since received more renovations, including a $300,000 expansion that added a butterfly garden and a technology hall, Community Development Coordinator Ana Rodriguez said.
Looking ahead
The corporation is set to discuss the funding resolution in November, while the City Council is set to vote on a lease amendment in December, Rodriguez said.
Museum staff said they would announce their capital campaign in January with completion expected in fall of 2029.
