Naperville: Statement on the DuPage Children's Museum Working Group Decision

In September 2018, while discussing redevelopment of Naperville's 5th Avenue train station district, the City Council commissioned a working group to assess the viability of alternative locations for DuPage Children's Museum (DCM). The working group consisted of Mayor Steve Chirico; Councilwoman Patty Gustin; City Manager Doug Krieger; and numerous representatives from DCM, including President and CEO Sarah Orleans, staff members Kimberly Stull and Julie Carlsen, Board Chairman Mark Trembacki, and board members Chris Abbinante, Russell Toney, Steve Waeghe, and Ann Wallin.

For more than six months, the working group collaborated with the goal of ensuring that DCM, a major cultural attraction for the western suburbs, continues to thrive as community asset in Naperville. Guided by financial sustainability and mutually beneficial outcomes, these partners investigated the viability of DCM's relocation within the Naperville community, navigating a complex decision-making environment of financial, legal and logistical considerations that had to be carefully assessed. Multiple locations were evaluated individually in the framework of these considerations, including the East Ogden corridor.

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Ultimately, none of the locations presented a viable solution for DCM's relocation; as such, it is anticipated that DCM will remain a vital component of the 5th Avenue redevelopment project. No additional locations are currently being evaluated, and there are no active efforts to pursue additional potential locations. DCM remains open to working with all of its stakeholders - including the City of Naperville, developers, museum members, visitors and donors – to explore the best potential growth options so that the museum can continue to provide exceptional early learning experiences for all children and families.

Filed Under: Government, City

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