Knoxville Science Museum (current Safety Building)

The Clayton Family Foundation is proposing to design, build and operate a $100 million state-of-the-art world-class educational science and discovery center, tentatively named the Knoxville Science Museum.

The foundation's investment also includes a $50 million endowment to support the science museum's operations.

Businessman and philanthropist Jim Clayton has signed a development agreement with the City of Knoxville to build the museum near the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, on or adjacent to property where the Safety Building now sits.

The dilapidated and outdated Safety Building will be razed, and the Knoxville Police Department and City Court will be moving into a new North Knoxville complex off Broadway, along with the Fire Department and Pension System offices.

NOV. 21, 2019 MEETING

Representatives of the Clayton Family Foundation and BarberMcMurry Architects presented three sets of concept plans defining the vision for a proposed $100 million state-of-the-art educational science and discovery center during a Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 public meeting. The project would include a $50 million Foundation endowment to support operations. The 150,000-square-foot facility would include exhibit, educational, event and meeting space, as well as indoor/outdoor dining, Maker space, green amenities and connections to the Urban Wilderness. The science and discovery center would be built near the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and Auditorium.

View Presentation from Nov. 21, 2019 Meeting [PDF]