Meck. Co. Commissioners: Discovery Place unable to make lump sum payment of $14.6M due on nature museum

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mecklenburg County Commissioners are trying to figure out how to bridge a large funding gap at the newly constructed nature museum in Freedom Park. They say Discovery Place isn’t able to pay $14.6 million in construction overrun costs it owes the county in a lump sum.

Options include the county declaring Discovery Place in default and taking over the museum. Another option would allow Discovery Place to pay back the county a minimum of $400,000 per year, but that could take over 36 years to complete payment.

County Commissioner Laura Meier tells WCCB, “We got here because a former County Manager had offered them, had offered Discovery Place a loan and, they signed it. Discovery Place signed it. And here we are. We’ve got a building that needs to open so they can create revenue.

The former County Manager who Meier is talking about it Dena Diorio. County Commissioners expect to make a decision by the end of the month.