Work is underway on the new home for the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.
Construction began Jan. 5, and is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks. The new building will be 18,000 square feet on Main Street Oak Ridge between the JCPenney store and a future Marriot hotel.
"We receive well over 65,000 visitors a year to the existing AMSE," Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said. "It's time to freshen that up with some new exhibits, and some new science that will be told about in the facility."
The museum's move comes after the U.S. Department of Energy transferred the land where it was located to the city of Oak Ridge in 2016. The city then transferred the property to RealtyLink, the private developer constructing Main Street Oak Ridge. In turn, RealtyLink agreed to provide space for AMSE rent-free for 15 years.
Design plans include a large theater, classroom spaces, interactive technology and new exhibits that are being developed by the department of energy. The facility will also feature updated exhibits from the most popular existing exhibits.
The museum plans to move into the new space by June of this year.