Matthews details plans for where new Discovery Place Kids museum would go
What would be the ideal location for a children’s museum? In an elementary school near a new park, of course.
That’s the proposed plan for the new Discovery Place Kids museum heading to downtown Matthews, town officials shared during Monday’s commissioners meeting.
The plan would be a three-way partnership between the town, Discovery Place and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education.
In the proposal, the museum would be in a newly constructed Matthews Elementary School. The old building would then be transformed into a new park.
It’s a partnership that would save the town money and create a campus centered around children.
The Discovery Place Kids proposal
In February, the town announced that Discovery Place, a science education-based Charlotte nonprofit, was interested in opening a children center downtown. It would be the third Discovery Place-Kids site in North Carolina.
Matthews would need to provide the building space and Discovery Place would handle operations. At the time of the announcement, a location wasn’t set.
Coincidentally, Matthews Elementary School is in the process of being replaced. The 55-year-old building was approved for replacement in 2023 as part of a $2.5 billion school bond from CMS.
It would become a new 45-classroom facility built on the back portion of its current site at 200 E McDowell St.
So, why not add the museum to the school?
“There are so many positives to this project, it’s hard to think of any downside,” Matthews’ Town Manager Becky Hawke said during Monday’s presentation.
More details for the Matthews complex
Partnering with the school district would save the town about 50% on construction costs because the design, site development and construction would be one project instead of two, Hawke said.
CMS already plans to spend close to $80 million on replacing Matthews Elementary. The town would contribute any additional costs needed to add the museum into the new building, Hawke said. It’s unclear what that additional cost may be.
The proposal also includes the addition of a new and bigger Stumptown Park. It would go on top of the site of the old school.
In exchange for the park being added to the school property, there would be a land-swap agreement put in place. The town would give a 10-acre parcel to the school district for a future relief school, if it’s needed.
Next steps for Matthews project
Town commissioners and the school district need to vote on the proposal. Both entities should be voting on the project in May.
If approved, construction would begin on the school and museum next year and be completed by 2029. Matthews Elementary would remain open while its new facility is under construction.
Once the new building opens, construction will begin on the new park. That would be complete in 2030.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 5:46 AM.
