ST. PAUL — The Science Museum of Minnesota, a major tourist attraction that opened its new, $100 million home just 15 years ago, has serious water infiltration problems that could leave state taxpayers with a hefty repair bill.

Museum leaders have approached state officials and legislators with a $26 million construction request, half of which could be borne by the public. Dealt one legal setback already, the museum may still appeal a judge’s ruling that blocked it from seeking damages against an architecture firm that designed the museum nestled in a St. Paul bluff and a company that helped build it.

Museum senior vice president Mike Day said there’s no danger to the public. More than a million visitors, including loads of schoolchildren, flock to the hands-on exhibits and giant Omnitheater every year.

“There is no structural integrity loss. The building is safe,” Day told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “However, we want to be in front of this so the building preservation doesn’t become some kind of an emergency.”

Museum crews have been battling water problems since the year the 370,000-square foot space opened, requiring fixes while the building was under warranty. But Day said the scope of the intrusion and damage wasn’t realized until a third-party engineering review in 2012 uncovered deficiencies. During a harsh 2014 winter, the museum had to close the Omnitheater for nine days because of moisture that seeped in. Short-term repairs are being undertaken until money for the substantial rework is secured.

Day said quarterly tests are being done to make sure no mold or airborne concerns arise.

The museum’s request for state bonding bill help surfaced in late May, just days before the Legislature adjourned its regular session. Democratic Rep. Alice Hausman of St. Paul introduced legislation that mentioned the problems inside the building walls.

Hausman said she wanted to get the discussion started and put the project on the radar of committees that will tour project sites this summer and fall. She described the museum as a statewide asset and its water issue as urgent.

“You don’t want to take a chance that the problem will get any greater,” she said.

But the big request puts St. Paul leaders in a tricky spot. Earlier this month, the city council listed four priority bonding requests it will try to advance in the Legislature, including a $52 million bridge reconstruction and $14.5 million for Como Zoo exhibits. The Science Museum project has support but on a secondary list.