The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) congratulated the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on the groundbreaking for improvements to its historic South Portico entrance, a major milestone in the museum’s efforts to make the entryway more accessible while preserving the architectural character of the landmark building. The South Portico served as a primary entrance to the Palace of Fine Arts during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Overlooking Jackson Park’s Columbia Basin, the portico currently does not serve as a public entrance due in part to accessibility limitations. The renovation will restore the entryway while adapting the space to better serve museum visitors and the surrounding community. The $22 million project will modify the building’s south entry and add new amenities, including a ground-level entrance with elevator access, an enclosed entry vestibule, a glass curtain wall behind the portico’s historic columns, and improvements to the South Portico terrace. Construction on the South Portico improvements is expected to be completed within 12 months.