California invests $236 million in La Brea Tar Pits renovation

The La Brea Tar Pits, a renowned fossil site in Los Angeles, California, is undergoing a major renovation funded by $236 million in bond financing. The announcement was made by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, with the funds provided through the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). The project, known as the La Brea Tar Pits Reimagine Project, aims to modernize the 13-acre museum complex in Hancock Park while preserving its historic character.

The renovation includes new exhibition galleries, visible research labs, expanded storage for the extensive fossil collection, a theater, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the tar pits and park. The George C. Page Museum will be revamped, and the project will also create the Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research, which will be central to the transformation. The museum closed in July for a two-year renovation, with the park remaining open to visitors. The museum is expected to reopen by 2028, in time for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Officials emphasized that the historic atrium and iconic exterior will be preserved, while accessibility improvements will be made. Paleontological work, including fossil excavation, collection maintenance, and research, will continue, along with educational programs and behind-the-scenes tours. The financing is part of IBank's mission to support public infrastructure and private development that creates jobs and improves quality of life. Governor Newsom highlighted the project as a reflection of California's commitment to science and education. The significance of the site is underscored by recent discoveries, such as the identification of a new extinct spadefoot toad species, Spea labreae, in August. L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell praised the public-private partnership, noting its role in making science and exploration accessible to all.