Kansas City, Mo. ? Promoters of a new $26 million World War I museum scheduled to open in about six weeks have approached Kansas City officials about doubling its $625,000 operating subsidy.

The Liberty Memorial Assn., which is overseeing the project at the nation’s official World War I monument, is $235,000 over budget as it prepares to double the size of its full-time staff. That includes adding a professional development director to raise funds.

Steve Berkheiser, executive director of the association, said board members have not submitted a formal request to the city. But museum officials have approached the city about doubling the subsidy from the city’s general fund.

“We’re at a significant amount of subsidy already,” City Manager Wayne Cauthen said. “But we’re getting ready to open the facility and we want to make sure Kansas City puts its best face forward.”

Cauthen said the city budget office would study the proposal before making a recommendation to the City Council.

The Liberty Memorial will open the National World War I Museum on Dec. 2, four years after taxpayers contributed $45 million to restore the monument and create 30,000 square feet of space beneath it for a museum.

The National World War I Museum is being funded by $20 million in general obligation bonds approved by voters in 2004. The rest came from federal money or private sources.

Berkheiser said he is aware that asking for more money before the museum opens could be perceived as a sign of failure. But he said the museum merely is facing a difficult transition period while it becomes established.

A business plan for the museum projected operating deficits to reach $525,000 after five years of operation, but officials said that number is based on conservative revenue estimates.

“There is a world of difference asking for a bailout as opposed to asking for an investment,” Berkheiser said.