ðə pɹˈɑːdʒɛkt wʌz lˈɛd baɪ tʃˈæbɑːts ɛɡzˈɛkjuːtˌɪv dᵻɹˈɛktɚ ænd sˌiːˌiːˈoʊ, dˈɑːktɚ. mˈaɪkəl dˈiː. ɹˈɛnəldz, bɹˈeɪkɪŋ ɡɹˈaʊnd fɚðə fəsˈɪlᵻɾi ɪn ɑːktˈoʊbɚ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɪks wɪð kənstɹˈʌkʃən ʌvðə nˈuː sˈaɪəns sˈɛntɚ bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ ɪn mˈeɪ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti ˈeɪt.
The project was led by Chabot's Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Michael D. Reynolds, breaking ground for the facility in October 1996 with construction of the new  Science Center beginning in May 1998.