Lodi's science museum still has a way to go

After almost two years of planning, fundraising and meetings, the backers of the World of Wonders Science Museum are a bit closer to their goal.

In May, the Lodi City Council approved the museum's request to use vacant office space on the ground floor of the central parking structure on the corner of Sacramento and Pine streets.

Plans call for a hands-on science museum in which area residents can learn the principles of science through various displays.

The council originally gave the museum six months to raise enough money to open, but no contracts have yet been signed, said Dan Ingrum, who thought up the idea after visiting San Francisco's Exploratorium museum.

"It's really a win-win for us and the city," Ingrum said.

Ingrum, owner of Danz Jewelers, is also on the museum's board of directors. The board has applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and is waiting to apply for grants to supply exhibits and educational materials.

The 12,000-square foot museum will have a store run by Lodi School Store owner Harrison Weese, and a classroom.

Exhibits could be leased, purchased from the Exploratorium or built in Lodi based on Exploratorium models. To save money and keep displays fresh, some will be traded among other museums, said marketing director David Diskin.

About $20,000 was raised at a recent private fundraising dinner, Diskin said.

The city of Lodi is not funding any part of the project, Diskin said. The offices, which have been vacant since the parking structure opened in 2002, don't have floors, insulation, lights, plumbing, or air conditioning.

Despite the vacant offices on the north end of Sacramento Street and a tattoo parlor, liquor store, card room and bar nearby, Diskin and Ingrum, aren't worried if the site is appropriate for children.

Diskin said downtown Lodi as a whole continues to improve and believes a children's museum could help kick off a revitalization of Sacramento Street. He and Ingrum also say the museum's location is ideal because of the parking and bus depot.

Diskin said that because about 411,000 public school students live within an hour of Lodi, schools won't need to travel so far for a great field trip. They are estimating about 25,000 visitors per year.

First published: Friday, July 14, 2006