City officials met Tuesday to take the next step forward towards opening Discovery Place KIDS downtown Rockingham by evaluating the McKenzie building.

City architect Joseph F. Hatem met with City Manager Monty Crump and Planning Director John Massey and Discovery Place engineers Charles E. Cardwell, Warner L. Sparrow, and Martin E. Boyer to examine the McKenzie furniture building to see if it will be suitable for the Discovery Place KIDS interactive children’s museum. The building is at 233 E. Washington St.

“It seems to fit the Discovery Place plan,” said Hatem upon studying the blueprint.

The architect and engineers will make calculations based on the data they gathered from the building inspection.

Within the next month the group will put together a comprehensive report that will be submitted to the city council, as well as Discovery Place, for closer evaluation.

Massey said the 50-year-old building was in excellent condition.

“There are no red flags,” he said.

The group evaluated all aspects of the building, according to Massey, including structural components, plumbing and electrical systems.

On July 13, the city approved buying an option on the building and agreed in principle to take on the responsibility of maintaining it if Discovery Place would build a children’s museum.

Discovery Place had been searching for ways to expand beyond Charlotte in the last few years, and began that endeavor by building a Discovery Place KIDS in Huntersville. The Huntersville museum is scheduled to open this fall.

The children’s museum provides interactive exhibits that allow children to explore their world, discover how to get along with others, test their skills and muscles, try out new ideas, and develop confidence.

Dawn Kurry can be reached at 997-3111 Ext. 15 or by e-mailing dkurry@yourdailyjournal.com.