Children's museum to OKC? | News

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Farroq Karim sees possibilities hidden in the concrete and metal that makes up the Stage Center building in downtown Oklahoma City. He says he sees a future for the old landmark as the home of the city's first children's museum.

Stage Center last operated as a theater in 2010, but a flood that year forced its closure.

Children's museum enthusiasts like Karim say they know the building's history presents challenges.

"We have actually engaged some civil engineers that are familiar with some of the issues and the problem can be solved. It's not insurmountable," Karim says.

Supporters for the museum say the time is now to build one because of all the synergy, the energy and the changes that are going on all around Stage Center.

"You can look at some of the things going on around the site, and it's very exciting. You can also look at it in the terms that, this property has a lot of value," Karim says.

But to getting all this done will take more than dreaming.

"Money. We need a hero. We need someone with a big checkbook who wants to name it and help us in the planning and then put their brand on this," supporter Tracey Zeeck says.

The grassroots group will present a proposal to the current owner of Stage Center, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Feb. 29.

"It's going to happen. Where do we go from here? We go forward and we're going to make it happen," Karim said.