On April 29th, CSArch proudly joined partners, supporters, and community members in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the brand-new Utica Children’s Museum. The event celebrated a transformative moment for families across the greater Utica area and entire Mohawk Valley region, marking the official unveiling of a vibrant, inclusive, and interactive space designed to inspire children to learn through play.
This milestone is the culmination of a collaboration between Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) and the Utica Children’s Museum, who together envisioned a bold new home for both ICAN’s Family Resource Center and the museum operations. After acquiring a more visible building on Utica’s Parkway, ICAN selected CSArch in 2019 to facilitate the planning and design of the renovation. Today, what once was an outdated, limited-use facility is now a modernized, centrally located center for learning, exploration, and play that is inclusive of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.
“The excitement among members of the community was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do,” said Bill Pennock, Managing Principal at CSArch. “This project is deeply meaningful to our team, and we’re eager to see the impact it will have on children and families for years to come.”
Members of the CSArch design team posed with Utica Children's Museum Executive Director Meghan Fraser McGrogan, University at Buffalo IDEA Center Assistant Director Danise Levine, and Greg Belew and Nathan Myhre from Hands On! Studio.
Phase 1, completed in the summer of 2022, renovated the first and third floors of the building to house ICAN’s corporate offices and Family Resource Center. These spaces offer supportive resources for children and families, aligning seamlessly with ICAN’s mission to serve those with unique and evolving needs.
The second phase of the project renovated the entire second floor and constructed a 4,000 square foot addition to serve as the new home for the Utica Children's Museum. Exhibit spaces offer hands-on learning opportunities in STEM, art, cultural awareness, global diversity, and nature, reflecting a commitment to lifelong curiosity, active learning, and collaboration. The building addition is home to "The Climber," an engaging, two-story structure that fosters exploration, confidence, and creative problem-solving.
The museum received certification as a Universally Designed Building, the first of its kind in New York State, by the University of Buffalo IDEA Center for its accessible and inclusive design.
In addition to The Climber, flexible common areas, and multi-purpose rooms, the museum boasts five distinct exhibits spaces designed to inspire creativity, promote enrichment opportunities, and encourage learning through play.
Open to the public on May 1st, the new Utica Children’s Museum represents a long-term investment in the futures of the region’s youngest generations and offers a place where children can build foundational skills, spark ideas, and explore their natural curiosity. This project is a testament to what thoughtful design, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to community can achieve, and CSArch is proud to have been part of that journey.
Check out the recap video from the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 29th!
The project team included:
CSArch Design Team: Daniel Woodside, Principal-in-Charge; William Pennock, Project Manager; Alexandra Garrity, Project Architect; Ashley Sheehan, Director of Interior Design
Museum Exhibit Designer: Hands On! Studio
Construction Manager: Pike Construction Services
Sub-Consultant Team: Building Energy Solutions LLC, MEP Engineer; Environmental Design & Research (EDR), Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture; AECC Environmental Consulting, Hazardous Materials Design; Zangrilli Engineering, Structural Engineering