The Italian American Museum has struck a deal to sell three buildings it owns on Grand Street to a development group that will build a bigger museum in the base of a residential condo the group plans to erect on the site. The museum, founded by Joseph Scelsa, a retired sociology professor at Queens College who specialized in Italian American history and research, will use the larger space to expand exhibitions and hold events.

"This space will be all about the Italian-American experience," Scelsa said. "We want to show the contributions to society and the art that Italian-Americans have made. We'll have more room for galleries in this new facility, along with areas for classes, lectures and performances." Scelsa said the museum has reached an agreement to sell three 3-story buildings, at 185, 187 and 189 Grand St., to a partnership between Nexus Building Development Group and Oved Group, which plan to build a 25,000-square-foot, 12-unit residential building.