Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Public Services Council Committee on Tuesday forwarded a resolution regarding a land use agreement with the planned Northeast Arkansas Children’s Museum.
The agreement was initially proposed when museum leadership gave an update on project’s progress to the city council in early August.
According to the resolution, the city would enter into an agreement with the museum to allow property located at 215 W. Monroe Ave. to be the site of the museum. The agreement would begin once the resolution is passed and would be effective through Jan. 1, 2030.
The museum cannot begin any demolition or site improvement projects until it secures “verified, irrevocable long-term capital financing, enforceable grant awards, and/or committed sponsorships sufficient to complete the construction and opening of the museum facility,” and city leadership verifies that threshold has been met.
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The property on Monroe Avenue is the site of Winter Wonderland, a walk-through holiday-themed museum that opens during the Christmas season. NEA Children’s Museum president Jordan Carlow previously told councilmembers that Winter Wonderland would be incorporated into the museum’s offerings “at no cost to the community.”
Carlow also previously told councilmembers that if enough funding is not secured, then the property will be returned to the city.
The project was announced in November 2023. The museum will feature numerous exhibits, including weather, agriculture, the human body, and more, as well as a low-sensory area. It is expected to draw 77,000 people annually.
The project is estimated to cost between $10 million and $12 million. Carlow previously told councilmembers that construction is estimated to begin in fall 2027, with the goal of opening in fall 2028.
The committee voted to forward the resolution to the full city council. It will be considered at the council’s next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
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