A learning center that uses small plastic bricks to encourage children’s interest in engineering, math and creative endeavors has cleared another hurdle in its move to a former art studio in the downtown area.

Christina Ratcliffe, director of the city Community Development Department, decided Tuesday afternoon to issue a use permit so Fary Koh’s LEGO learning center, BrickSpace Benicia, could move from its current location, 946 Tyler St., to the first floor of the building formerly occupied by Studio 621, which moved to 309 First St.

Pam Dixon Trust, listed in a staff report as the property’s owner, has sold the building to the current owner, David Hayer, according to information provided by Kammy Hayer.

Ratcliffe’s approval came quickly in Tuesday afternoon’s hearing.

The only concern raised about the business moving to First Street was one resident’s general worry about the difficulty in finding parking spaces in the downtown business district, Principal Planner Amy Million wrote.

The applicant needed a use permit because BrickSpace is a hybrid of other uses, Million wrote in a report on the request.

Not only does it have a retail component, it also is a learning center that isn’t a certified school or day care center.

Because it would occupy only 2,200 square feet of the building, Koh wouldn’t be required to provide off-street parking, Million wrote.

Koh has described her business as “a true community center,” where children use LEGO bricks to build things individually and in cooperation with others in drop-in play with or without guidance, as well as in classes.

Through the activities, children learn to read and follow directions, and explore such topics as engineering, science and mathematics. They also learn to experiment, and learn to deal with the results of trial-and-error tests.

Koh, who has a master’s degree in education from Michigan State University, formerly headed Academic Support Services for 5,000 University of California-Berkeley students living in resident halls. She also started a program to support women in science and engineering at the university.

Her business, which also sells LEGO bricks, began as a home-based operation that outgrew that space. She opened BrickSpace at the Benicia Arsenal address in 2012.

Once she moves into 621 First St., Koh said she plans to continue the current programs of scheduled drop-in hours, enrichment classes, three camps during the year, weekend birthday parties and parents’ night out.

Koh told Million she wants to operate the business from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, depending on birthday parties and workshops.

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