Scott Wartman

swartman@enquirer.com

The Creation Museum wants Boone County's blessing for an expansion.

Leaders of the museum' dedicated to a literal interpretation of the Bible wants to nearly triple its exhibit space over the next three years.

It will help prepare for the swarms of visitors the museum management expects from the full-scale Noah's Ark replica, known as Ark Encounter, it's building in Grant County. That's expected to open in July.

The museum currently doesn't have enough space for traveling exhibits, said Mike Zovath, co-founder of Creation Museum parent company Answers in Genesis.

"We're packed to the gills with exhibits and information," Zovath said.

A proposed three-story, 210,000-square-foot museum building on the site of the current guest parking lot would be a large hall for traveling exhibits, he said.

"It would give a lot more reasons for people to come back multiple times with new attractions and exhibits showing up every year," Zovath said. "That's the challenge for every attraction is coming up with something new."

The building is part of the Creation Museum's three-year plan. Since it's still being designed, the cost isn't known, but Zovath estimates it would likely cost $15 million-$20 million.

But first they need approval for a zone change to build a new parking lot.

The Boone County Planning & Zoning Commission Wednesday night will decide whether to recommend a zone change to the Boone County Fiscal Court for the museum.

The museum wants the county to change the zoning for nine acres of the property from rural suburban estates to public facilities to allow for a parking lot. The new lot would increase parking from 386 to about 1,000. The staff has recommended approval based on several conditions, among them: the height of light fixtures in the parking would not exceed15 feet and nearby residences would be protected from being bothered by noise or unsightly structures.

The Creation Museum is already seeing dividend's from Ark Encounter, Zovath said. The museum has had a 300 percent increase in group bookings compared to this time last year, he said.

"It's encouraging to see the prediction of feasibility experts come true," Zovath said.

The Boone County Planning & Zoning meeting will be 7 p.m. at the Boone County Administration building, 2950 Washington St., in Burlington.

The Boone County Fiscal Court will take planning and zoning's recommendation and make the final determination.