The Great Lakes Children's Museum is finding Greilickville to its liking, abandoning a plan to build a new facility on West State St. behind the post office in downtown Traverse City.

Museum directors had not attached the "permanent" label to the organization's location in Elmwood Township until sending a letter recently to the City Commission. A referendum election had been held in Traverse City as required to allow the museum to build on the city property.

The museum at the time was paying high rent to occupy its former location at the corner of Hall and Front streets, necessitating the move to the Greilickville location until funds could be saved to construct a new home.

Several non-profit groups have moved or plan to move onto a site provided free of charge by philanthropist Michael Dow.

Museum director John Noonan said the move to Leelanau County will be permanent for a number of reasons.

"The Elmwood Township site provides many unique opportunities for programs and activities," said Noonan. "We are especially excited about the prospect of working with the Maritime Alliance and the Watershed Center to offer joint activities. With a significant stretch of beautiful West Bay shoreline, the Greilickville area has tremendous untapped potential."

A news report had indicated the museum was interested in moving into the former Con Foster building at the now-closed Traverse City zoo. However, Noonan said the museum was only interested in using the building's gallery space for exhibits.