Ground has broken on the site of a 57,000-square-foot natural science museum, designed by Huntsville-based Fuqua & Partners Architects. The museum set to open next year in downtown Decatur, will include permanent exhibits, classrooms, a theater, gift shop, café and an outdoor patio. The $17 million Cook Museum of Natural Science at 133 Fourth Ave. N.W. will replace a former auto parts building that was demolished along with other property on a 2.3 acre tract of land near the Princess Theatre and Decatur Public Library. Cook’s Pest Control has committed $7 million toward the museum and is raising an additional $10 million. The museum will eventually include space for traveling exhibits, a butterfly house and an outdoor natural park.