Negotiations between the St. Joseph City Commissioners and the Curious Kids Museum over a sale of the Curious Kids building have broken down.
Following a fire at the city-owned Memorial Hall last summer, Curious Kids sought to purchase the building from the city so it can renovate and expand. The museum’s offer is $500,000, but city commissioners have said they also want a right of first refusal to get the building back should the museum ever seek to sell it.
At a Monday meeting, Mayor Laura Goos said the museum has rejected that idea and declined to hold further meetings.
“The city commission is disappointed that Curious Kids is not interested in engaging in further discussions, but remains supportive of Curious Kids and open to continuing discussions,” Goos said.
Goos said commissioners continue believe an agreement is possible, but if the museum leadership can’t agree to the city’s terms, then things will remain as they are.
Goos also noted the museum has rejected a suggestion from the Silver Beach Carousel Society that it consolidate operations at the Silver Beach Center.
Museum Director Lori Marciniak said the museum is also disappointed and remains “committed to being an incredible museum at that location.” She said efforts to upgrade the museum will continue.
