The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is taking a significant step towards construction of the Explore & More Children’s Museum by seeking a construction manager for the project.
ECHDC is responsible for delivering the nearly 43,000 sq.ft. core and shell building for the museum that will be located on the southern portion of the former Memorial Auditorium Block within the Canalside project.
The construction management services consists of a preconstruction phase and a construction phase with separate contracts for each phase. During the preconstruction phase, the construction manager will collaborate with the A/E Design Consultants on the design, constructability, cost and schedule of the project and develop a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal to construct the building.
Multiple buildings will be constructed over time, however, ECHDC is now designing the core & shell structure on the South Aud Block (highlighted in orange above). This structure shall accommodate the Explore & More Children’s Museum on five levels with an outdoor terrace. The building has a floorplate of approximately 9,000 sq.ft. with access from the towpath and street levels. The sub‐basement from the former Memorial Auditorium is located underneath most of the building and will continue to be used as the mechanical equipment room for the public canals, as well as for the new museum.
The consultant team completing the architectural/engineering design for the project is led by Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst. Pre‐Construction Services are expected to begin in June 2016. Construction Services are not expected until March 2017 with the building groundbreaking scheduled for March 1, 2017. The Project construction must be completed by June 1, 2018. Proposals from construction managers are due March 31.