KINGMAN – It was used as a grocery store by the Forsythe family and then converted to a Safeway decades ago. More recently, the 18,000 sq. ft. building provided office space for dozens of state employees who’ve relocated to new digs on Airway Avenue.
And now, the old DHS building at 519 Beale St. in downtown Kingman will be purchased by the city to house a museum for electric vehicles. The city council voted Tuesday to approve a staff request to use $875,000 in federal funds to acquire the building and associated ample parking space on the property.
City Manager Ron Foggin said use of COVID-19 recovery money is appropriate given that the museum will help Kingman rehabilitate its tourism sector by drawing visitors to the community and the downtown district. He said admission fees will provide the city with a revenue generation component and that the museum will provide an arena for learning.
“My hope is that, once we open the doors, that every third grader in this community gets a field trip to the museum,” Foggin said. He said the museum’s collection of more than 100 vehicles can’t all be housed within the building at once, so units will be rotated when featured on display.
Mayor Jen Miles said she likes that the Powerhouse Visitor’s Center and the museum will serve as bookends with plenty of activity in between for locals and tourists alike. Council Member Cherish Sammeli said two large parking lots acquired with the building will help provide space when large events are held downtown.
Dave Hawkins
They should have given the money to the schools they could use it more
They should have given the money to the schools they could use it more
Thank you Kingman for helping our city shine!
Thank you Kingman for helping our city shine!