PLATTSBURGH -- Officials at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum are shifting into high gear as they move toward an ambitious $1 million expansion project.

The museum, located on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, received an $800,000 grant from the State Department of Transportation last year to upgrade the museum's fledgling infrastructure.

However, the museum is responsible for a $200,000 match to receive the grant and is initiating a capital campaign to raise the money through local contributions.

"We're holding a public organizational meeting Wednesday evening to invite the public out to learn about our program," said Bruce Carlin, vice president for the Transportation Museum.

Business leaders from the community have also been invited to the 5:30 p.m. gathering, but Carlin noted the program's success depends on support from the public.

"At this point in time, we're interested in people helping out with the fundraising efforts, not to write a blank check," said museum President Anthony Vaccaro. "We're looking to develop a (fundraising) program over the next few weeks."

The drive has already received $50,000 through Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) and another $20,000 from the museum's Kid's Committee. Randall Beach from the legal firm of Whitman, Osterman and Hanna offered a $1,000 check Monday afternoon to jump-start the local drive.

"I haven't been in this building for several years," Beach said in the museum's main gallery. "The last time I was here, it was filled with surplus Air Force vehicles. What a wonderful program they've started here."

The museum's main gallery contains several historic vehicles that have been donated or loaned to the museum, including the facility's centerpiece: a 1915 Lozier automobile, representing the company that manufactured cars in Plattsburgh at the turn of the 20th century.

The expansion project will feature several phases, Vaccaro noted, including a major renovation to the museum's exterior.

An impressive park with lawns, walkways and an operating mini-train will replace the worn tarmac parking that lies between the museum's main buildings.

Efforts to upgrade the buildings to improve handicapped access and offer more space for children's activities will also be a top priority, Vaccaro said.

Improvements to the Gates Diner and construction of a welcome theater are also on the list of projects.

Officials have received requests for qualification from seven engineers and hope to narrow the field to three companies to submit requests for proposals to develop a specific expansion project, Vaccaro said. The museum hopes to have a final decision on an engineer within a month.

Construction should begin soon after that, he added.