Council approves contract with Vista for Museum of the Great Plains artifact storage during renovations

The council voted to approve a contract allowing the Museum of the Great Plains to use retail/storage space at Vista Central Plaza to store artifacts while the museum undergoes renovation. Jason Poudre (Arts & Humanities director) said Vista offered competitive square footage and operational advantages — security, pest control and onsite staff — that make it preferable to an offsite warehouse.

Bart, representing the museum, said the museum’s collections area is about 12,000–13,000 sq ft and that the board is requesting roughly 23,000 sq ft at Vista for packing and storage during the renovation. He estimated the pack-and-move process could begin by March and take four to five months. Council approved the contract by roll call.

Staff said this is an early step in the museum-renovation program to secure and safeguard artifacts while the museum’s site work and construction proceed. The council discussed timing for packing, security and the planned grand-reopening once work is complete.