The Board of Directors of Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo is pleased to present a prospectus for the JMZ Initiative describing the goals and milestones for the redesign and rebuild of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (download the Prospectus here). As the prospectus will show, many stakeholders have been helpful in the effort to create a JMZ better able to serve future generations of families with the same dedication to early learning as demonstrated over the last 82 years.
The Peery Foundation Matching Grant
The JMZ Initiative’s timeline depends on successful private fundraising to meet the Peery Foundation’s generous offer of a 1 to 1.5 match for every dollar raised. Thanks to help from many donors, the Friends’ Board is poised for success having secured $8 million towards a $10 million goal. Upon reaching $10 million, the Peery Foundation will release $15 million and this will provide the funding necessary for planning and construction.
City of Palo Alto Milestones
The Friends’ Board and JMZ staff have been working with City of Palo Alto officials to meet all criteria required by a public/private partnership. This April, the Parks & Recreation Commission gave a resounding vote of approval for an updated design of the building and grounds. The new design features a building with reduced impact on Rinconada Park and an enhanced visitor experience.
Approval from the Architectural Review Board and the City Council is expected in August, 2016. Construction is slated to begin in Fall of 2017 with the opening celebration for the new JMZ in Fall of 2019.
Continuing Services During Construction
During construction most of the JMZ services will continue without interruption. Cubberley Community Center will provide a staging area offering access to exhibits and programming for members of Club JMZ and the public. The animal collection will be cared for behind-the-scenes meeting best practices standards for animal care.
The JMZ Educators will provide the same excellent and innovative science curriculum to schools in Palo Alto, East Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Santa Clara County and surrounding communities. Summer camps, after school camps and classes will also continue at alternative sites, such as the Baylands or Cubberley Community Center. Numerous collaborations that have been forged with Stanford University, IDEO, local Pre-K schools and other organizations will continue and be expanded.
Investment and Support to Meet the Matching Grant
The money raised thus far for the JMZ Initiative has come primarily from families who have used and loved the Junior Museum & Zoo. Parents and grandparents have demonstrated how much they value the JMZ by investing in this civic asset. Recognition opportunities are available to commemorate special birthdays, anniversaries or memorialize loved ones.
A list of investors in the JMZ Initiative is also available on the website. Thanks to all who hae been responsible for advancing this project in such a timely and collaborative way.
Two new members were recently welcomed to the JMZ Initiative Advisory Council. Leannah Hunt with The Sereno Group of Palo Alto joins museum consultant Peter Giles, former President and CEO of the Tech Museum in San Jose, as Advisory Council members. Their enthusiasm and guidance, along with all advisers to the JMZ Initiative have added invaluable expertise to the leadership of the project.
Please contact us at 650 326-6338, or info@friendsjmz.org if you would like more information or have ideas or contacts that could be helpful.
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