Between 1995 and 1997 MGA was retained to develop a full due diligence and feasibility study for expansion of the existing museum on what was then a 45 acre site. In collaboration with a broad group of professional consultants we studied the existing facility’s structure, code compliance, mechanical, electrical and other systems to determine the facility’s capacity to expand.

Our report looked at several site expansion options, all limited due to the then-limitations of the site. Shortly after the report’s completion it was submitted to the North Carolina State Legislature to secure start-up funding. This initial funding was received and shortly afterward the site expanded significantly (to its current 164 acres), due to the acquisition of several state-owned parcels, which allowed the museum to place a new expansion on an adjacent site.

Construction is now complete and the museum celebrated its grand opening in April 2010. The project budget was $72.3 million for both hard and soft costs, not including landscaping.

The new building, designed by Thomas Phifer, will house the museum’s permanent collection in secure new galleries. MGA worked with Randall Stout Architects and the NCMA staff, the NCMA Board, the State Office of Cultural Resources, outside donors and elected officials to prepare our extensive report. The report included the detailed due diligence study, some strategic planning, a building program, a site use concept, cost estimate, and building program needs statement.