The steering committee of the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian unveiled preliminary exhibit designs for the proposed museum to select community members Tuesday night at the Meridian Museum of Art.

The committee is using feedback from the group that met Tuesday night and focus teams to gathered to help shape the design.

“We are looking to make these exhibits a truly Meridian experience,” Win Maxey Shumate, MCM-Meridian Steering Committee Exhibits Chair said in a statement. “We want them to have a great skeleton that will allow for changing out elements to keep the experiences fresh. We want them to be child-friendly and to promote creativity and play with a purpose. We also want them to help teach parents positive methods for supporting their children’s learning.”

Museum leaders propose building a $12 million, 9,500-square-foot facility by 2020, with three exhibit galleries focusing on health and nutrition; literacy; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Aspects of the cultural arts and East Mississippi heritage will be incorporated throughout, according to organizers.

The exhibits are being developed by Kraemer Design & Production, Inc. and Maxwell Associates, Inc., the same used for the original Mississippi Children’s Museum project in Jackson.

By a 3-2 vote, the Meridian City County authorized a partial land lease assignment at Bonita Lakes Park to the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian for the purpose of constructing a children’s museum. The Council approved leasing six acres for the project to be built on 16th Section land. The proposed location is toward the front end of Bonita Lakes Park and between the restrooms and caretaker’s house near Willow Ridge Road.