Time and trend have made Utica's Children's Museum, in Bagg's Square, prime real estate. The building is in an area of the city that's enjoyed a resurgence and rebirth recently, in particular, among young professionals who enjoy loft living. One of those young professionals is Utica Comets co-owner, Rob Esche.
"Rob has expressed an interest and a lot of folks have expressed an interest, in the community. and those are the types of things as they come, the board has the ability to evaluate and take a close look at and see what's the best option for the museum and the community," says Steven Bulger, Executive Director of Kids Oneida, which is in a managed services contract with the museum.
"We've had folks that have approached either casually or folks that have asked for more of a conversation," says Bulger, stressing that Utica will have a vibrant, viable children's museum, whether it remains in the current location or in a new one. Bulger says there's no deal or agreement in place-just lots of interest. He says attendance and revenue are up at the museum, with 5000 people coming through it's doors so far in 2018.
Any sale of the museum building would require a two-thirds majority of the museum board. The NYS Attorney General would have to approve any sale, as it's a major asset of a not-for-profit.