Science Museum Drops Legal Fight Over Water Damage

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Science Museum of Minnesota won't appeal a legal loss in a case against a design firm over persistent water damage to its $100 million building.

Interim museum president John Stanoch told The Associated Press on Friday that there was little chance of overturning an April ruling favoring architecture firm AECOM. Stanoch says the full focus will be on securing $26 million in state and private money for repairs to the 15-year-old building.

Water intrusion problems have affected the building since shortly after it opened. But the extent of the damage wasn't uncovered until 2012.

The museum will present a $13 million request to next year's Legislature and hopes to raise the rest internally. Stanoch says there are no plans to raise admission fees toward the fix.