The long wait for additional space at the Door County Museum and its archives is finally over.

The Door County Board approved $3.3 million in contracts to renovate the former Younkers building and make additional improvements to the Door County Museum.

The renovated building will provide additional museum space while also accommodating two tenants.

The property's future had been in limbo since the county purchased it in 2019, and discussions about expanding the museum have been ongoing even longer. After the Door County Board of Supervisors rejected an initial estimate of $8 million, county leaders began exploring a scaled-back plan with a price tag of just over $3 million.

Door County Administrator Ken Pabich said he is pleased work will finally begin this month and expects the project to move quickly because of the type of renovations being completed.

Work on the former Younkers building is scheduled to begin Aug. 24, with completion expected in midwinter.

Pabich said the additional space will give the museum more room to operate and allow staff to rotate exhibits more frequently.