A feasibility study on the project was completed by Richmond based Chmura Economics and Analytics in August. But while that study looked at details such as if the local community would support the facility, this master plan will determine what the end result will look like. That includes what types of exhibits will be included inside, how large the building will be and where it will be.

“ There are several questions we need to look at, in order to see how much the final cost will be,” Keiper said. “Do we renovate an existing building? Do we build a new one? How big of a facility does it need to be?”

The earlier study recommended three potential sites for the museum. The first was in downtown Waynesboro, either at 320 West Main Street or using the Mill at South River. The second location was at the Waynesboro Industrial Park, just off Exit 96 from Interstate 64 and the third was on Lew Dewitt Boulevard near Zeus Digital Theater. Most of those would be new construction, whereas renovating an existing building could cut down on cost. The size of the structure will also play into the cost. The earlier study recommended a facility of approximately 21,850 square feet, including 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, at a cost of $7.3 million.

In addition to answering those questions, Keiper said the master plan will include details about exhibits in the facility, which will be tailor made to fit the local community.

“With a project like this, we can focus on the geology that creates the South River, we can also focus on the specific flora and fauna of the area,” Keiper said.

Keiper and his staff are currently finishing a request for proposals, which will go out this spring, to find a consulting firm to put together the master plan. The cost of the plan will run between $40,000 to $50,000, he estimated. The city of Waynesboro will pay $25,000 of that. The remaining amount will be put together from private donors in the area, through a fundraising campaign. Keiper made it clear that no state funds would be used for the master plan.

Once the consulting firm is selected, they will hold meetings in the area with multiple groups, including residents, national park officials, public school and college educators. That way, Keiper said, the museum is shaped to fit the needs of the community. If a facility is built and it doesn’t fit the requirements for class field trips or cover the topics needed for a college class, then it defeats the purpose, Keiper said.

“ We want to narrow down the focus to be useful to the community,” he said, adding that those meetings would take place between the summer and fall of this year. All total, the master plan should take about six months to complete.

A look at the numbers

The earlier report by Chumura found that a facility in Waynesboro would bring in an estimated 65,582 people from eleven cities, including Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Buena Vista and Charlottesville, as well as the counties of Augusta, Albemarle and Nelson.

Chmura also projected revenues and expenses for a Waynesboro site, finding that the facility would likely be profitable in its first year. The report planned admission costs at $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and college students and $3 for children ages 3 to 18. From admissions alone, the Waynesboro site would be expected to bring in $196,746 its first year, combined with an expected $70,000 in museum memberships and $57,500 in donations. That would bring total revenues to $324,246, with payroll and other expenses taking out $242,250, leaving a net profit of $81,996.

Once the master plan is finished, then the museum will look at how to fund the new facility. Keiper estimated that it would be at least a year or two before they could break ground on anything.

“We have to hire an architect, get a design and raise the funds,” Keiper said. “We’re starting from scratch.”