Groundbreaking - Monday March 9, 2009

The Glazer Children’s Museum officially broke ground Monday, March 9 on the new facility, located in the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, with a ceremony involving Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, co-president, Glazer Family Foundation

Bryan Glazer, co-chairman, Glazer Family Foundation, county and city officials and supporters of the project. The groundbreaking marks a 16-month construction and move-in process, with a grand opening expected in Spring 2010.

The new three story facility, comprising 53,000 square feet, will serve as an early childhood educational resource for parents and caregivers, as well as local schools and area child service providers. The multi-disciplinary exhibits, educational programs, resource center and events are estimated to bring in 200,000 visitors annually to the facility.

J.O. DeLotto and Sons, Inc. (DeLotto) is the construction manager for the project. The design for the museum is led by the architectural team, GouldEvans-haizlip studio.

"The groundbreaking represents a key point in the museum’s evolution and its service to the Tampa Bay community,” said Al Najjar, president and CEO of the Glazer Children’s Museum. “The new museum will serve as an educational resource and a new destination at the heart of Tampa, adding to the already superb quality of life and contributing to regional economic development," he added.

It’s close proximity to Interstate 275 and I-4 positions the Glazer Children’s Museum as a resource for local and regional visitors, as well as tourists. The museum will attract families to the downtown area to enjoy all of the amenities that complement the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.