Gov. Linda Lingle is releasing $1 million to help build a new Arizona Memorial museum and visitor center.

The existing museum and center needs to be replaced because it is sinking and deteriorating.

It will remain open as the new facility is built in phases.

Lingle says modernizing the Arizona memorial will help educate visitors about the service members and civilians who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The new center will include historically comprehensive galleries, open-air exhibits, an outdoor amphitheater, two movie theaters and improved visitor space.

The total project is expected to cost $52 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and end two years later.