news releases Jacobs’ Gift Secures Critical Funding for Children's Museum January 26, 2006—Jason Hughes, President of the Children’s Museum San Diego Board of Directors, is pleased to announce that the Museum has received a $5 million gift from Joan and Irwin Jacobs as well as an additional $2.5 million from two families who wish to remain anonymous. “These extraordinary donations assure that this wonderful new facility will begin final construction shortly—with our grand opening scheduled for early 2008. The Jacobs are truly visionaries and we are grateful their gift has inspired others to give,” said Kay Wagner, the Museum’s Executive Director. The new Rob Wellington Quigley designed facility at 200 West Island Avenue, will have a completion value of $25 million. The land is owned by the Museum. The facility’s structural foundation, lower level and seventy subterranean parking spaces are completed. The remaining construction costs for the building is estimated at $13 million. Two of San Diego’s leading community banks, Torrey Pines Bank and First National Bank have agreed to provide any necessary construction loans. The final phase of construction for the street and upper levels is scheduled to begin in March. The Children’s Museum/Museo de los Niños San Diego is a non-profit arts/education program where children and their families have been learning through the arts for over 24 years. We are currently in the final phase of construction on the Muse, our new facility, which will open Fall 2007. Designed by Rob Wellington Quigley, it will be downtown’s first major “green” building. For further information, please call 619 233 8792 or visit our website at childrensmuseumsd.org.