A third party is going to take a hard look at Science, Theater, Education, Arts and Music Park, or STEAM Park, proposed near downtown Durango to see if can be more than just a good idea.
A Kansas City company, BNIM, was selected to complete the feasibility study for a proposed $30 million STEAM Park.
The proposed project may be built next to the Powerhouse Science Center, west of Camino del Rio. It would include a theater, amphitheater, classrooms, office and retail space.
"I believe they will do an outstanding job in determining how feasible the park is at our preferred location," said Terry Bacon the STEAM Park board president.
A group of organizations provided funding for the study. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs provided $75,000, the city of Durango contributed $37,500 and private donors gave $ $37,500 to the study.
Bacon believes that public funding needs to help support the project in the long term, and the feasibility study should provide some clarity of what form that might take.
"If you look around the country, it's hard to find a city that does not provide some sort of support for arts," he said.
The study is expected to be completed in the spring of 2015.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
