JANESVILLE — The Children’s Museum of Rock County (CMRC) has chosen JP Cullen as its construction manager to guide the project through its crucial design and fundraising stages, it was announced on Wednesday.
By working with JP Cullen, the museum aims to avoid potential budget overruns and project delays while ensuring the project aligns with its fundraising efforts.
“We’re only about halfway through the design with Angus Young from Janesville, but now we’ve hired JP Cullen and they can give real world input into the design,” CMRC President and Capital Campaign Chair John Westphal said.
The project renovates the former Chase Bank at 100 W. Milwaukee St. and construction of a new addition.
The project is following a design-assist process, where JP Cullen collaborates closely with the design team to estimate costs at each step. This approach allows the team to confirm that each design element is affordable before moving forward. For example, the team hopes to add an outdoor activity space on the roof, but if it proves too expensive, they’ll ensure the structure can support future additions. The ultimate goal is to align design, cost and fundraising so the museum can build what it can afford—or raise more money if needed.
“We’re honored to be your builder and construction manager for this exciting project that will benefit Janesville, Rock County and beyond,” said Jeannie Cullen Shultz, co-president of JP Cullen. “It’s really special for our family and our family business to be involved. JP Cullen has been part of Janesville and Rock County since 1892, spanning five generations. My brother and I are proud to be the fifth generation and we’re excited to bring this project into a new era. It’s particularly special because we built this building back in 1912, and now, 112 years later, we get to come back and be your partner in building something that can last another 100 years.”
As of Wednesday morning, $8.73 million of the $10 million goal has been raised. The museum’s board members, including Sara Iverson Smith, Mitch Benson and John Westphal, interviewed three contractors before selecting JP Cullen to help finalize the design and budget simultaneously.
Cullen Shultz also emphasized the importance of early involvement in the project. “By bringing us on board now, we can assist with fundraising and marketing, whether through visual modeling or mock exhibits. The opportunities are endless and we’re excited to start this journey with you,” she said.
The museum plans to complete the building design by early December and the exhibit design by January, with construction slated to begin in March 2025. “God willing, we’ll be starting construction next March,” Westphal said, noting that the project will take about a year to complete.
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