Medford, OR. — The Medford City Council has approved a revised and significantly expanded addition to the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, advancing a project that will increase early-learning capacity and expand family-centered programming for the Rogue Valley.
At its Nov. 19 meeting, the council granted landlord consent for a redesigned 19,050-square-foot addition—replacing a 12,000-square-foot expansion approved in December 2024. Immediately afterward, the Medford Urban Renewal Agency (MURA) board authorized a $1.5 million grant agreement to support construction.
Located at 413 W. Main St., the museum operates its preschool within the historic Carnegie Library building and a 1950 rear addition. The newly approved expansion will be constructed behind the existing structure.
The City first entered into a 25-year lease with Kid Time—now the Children’s Museum—in 2018. Updated designs were reviewed during a joint study session between the City Council and MURA in September 2025.
While the revised plans maintain the original vision, they incorporate several key updates. The most notable change is the addition of a rooftop event space, which accounts for most of the 7,000-square-foot increase over the 2024 design. Excluding the rooftop area, the building size increases to 12,800 square feet, with a footprint similar to the earlier proposal.
The expansion includes:
- Three new preschool classrooms, increasing enrollment capacity by 60 students
- Professional development and community training space
- Consolidated clay and culinary studios
- Therapy and support rooms
- A kitchen, restrooms, and additional storage
City officials say the project will help meet growing demand for high-quality early-learning options in Medford and the wider region.
The council’s vote provides landlord consent but is only one step in the approval process. The addition must still undergo review and receive approval from the Medford Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission.
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