Jill Schramm/MDN Construction makes progress on the Magic City Discovery Center being built near the city airport on North Hill.

Minot’s Magic City Discovery Center and intermodal facility will be coming back to the North Dakota Legislature for funding during the special session, but there’s nothing new about their requests.

Sen. Randy Burckhard, R-Minot, said the state learned after the session ended that certain funded projects, including MCDC and the intermodal facility, did not qualify for the federal funds that the Legislature had appropriated. He said the Legislature will be asked to support the projects using different funding sources.

“The commitment was made in that legislative session, so I don’t think it’s a matter of whether it will happen or not,” he said. “The source of funds will be different.”

About $400 million in approved projects were impacted by the determination of federal ineligibility.

The intermodal facility had been appropriated $2 million for railroad track expansion. The facility needed to have additional track in place by Aug. 1 to meet BNSF Railway’s lease requirement.

John MacMartin, president of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce EDC, said a loan was obtained to keep the project on track and avoid losing the lease. Design work has been underway. MacMartin said it is uncertain whether construction can start yet this fall, but as long as things are moving forward, BNSF appears willing to allow the lease to continue.

The 2021 Legislature had approved $5.9 million for an expanded design for the discovery center.

Wendy Keller, MCDC executive director, said with the state grant, money has been obtained to finish the building and install the exhibits. However, fundraising will be ongoing to offset operating costs and ensure all children are able to visit regardless of ability to pay.

“This type of an entity is not meant to be a moneymaker. Our purpose is to get kids in there so that they can learn and have all the experiences, so for us to keep those prices lower, we will need some extra funds,” Keller said.

The building construction is expected to finish by the end of May 2022, and MCDC offices could move in during June. Installation of around 170 exhibits would need to take place before the museum opens to the public, tentatively set to happen in November 2022.

The MCDC board plans a walkway and outdoor exhibits that it will be working on next summer. It also will be gearing up next year to begin hiring for additional positions.