The Mark Ridley-Thomas Entrance Plaza, part of the NHM Commons project, is shown in a rendering by Frederick Fisher and Partners. (photo courtesy of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County)

The Mark Ridley-Thomas Entrance Plaza will soon welcome visitors on the southwest side of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s Exposition Park campus – a $60 million project scheduled to break ground next summer.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Nov. 24 by Supervisors Kathryn Barger, 5th District, and Sheila Kuehl, 3rd District, to name the entrance plaza in recognition of Ridley-Thomas and his leadership in the 2nd District. His tenure with the board ended on Nov. 30. Ridley-Thomas won a seat on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 10th District on Nov. 3.

Throughout his 12 years as a county supervisor, Ridley-Thomas has advocated for education and better appreciation of the natural world, supporting greater access to NHMLAC research and collections, and improving community health by expanding green space and public offerings in Exposition Park, county leaders and museum administrators said.

“It is my honor to partner with Supervisor Kuehl in naming the entrance plaza of the Natural History Museum Commons after Supervisor Ridley-Thomas,” Barger said. “This dedication is significant in marking the immeasurable contributions that Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has made to arts and culture in his district and throughout the county. Visitors to the museum will be reminded of this for generations to come.”

“The Natural History Museum is pleased to name the NHM Commons entrance plaza in honor of Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, who has been a true champion of this institution, the project and of increasing access to the arts, science, culture and green space for the surrounding neighborhoods in the 2nd District and for all Angelenos,” NHMLAC President and Director Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga added.

NHM Commons will provide 75,000 square feet of renovated space, new construction and landscaping to create a welcoming “front porch” at the Exposition Park campus, museum officials said. NHM Commons will include a free welcome center, new state-of-the-art theater and multipurpose space, and increased exhibition spaces.

“I have long said the Natural History Museum is the cultural heart of Los Angeles and the historic anchor of Exposition Park,” Ridley-Thomas said. “I have witnessed first-hand the transformation of the institution over the past 12 years as it has delighted Angelenos with dynamic exhibitions and programs, and engaged neighborhood residents in community science. NHM continues to welcome the broadest audience to experience the museum – physically and virtually. I am truly honored to have this new entrance plaza named after me and look forward to the NHM Commons becoming a true community hub when it opens in 2023.”

The project has received $56.6 million so far, including $30 million in support from Los Angeles County and $9 million from the  state of Calfornia. Donations from foundations and individuals account for $17.6 million. For information, visit nhm.org.