 Sioux
City's riverfront will soon be home to a new $3.5 million Lewis
and Clark Interpretive Center. Groundbreaking for the new center
took place on Thursday, May 17th.
The Missouri River Historical Development (See
bottom of article) board is constructing the center. The
MRHD holds the gaming license for riverboat gambling in Sioux
City. Although the MRHD annually gives money to area non-profit
organizations, they decided a few years ago to build its own
project with some of the gaming funds.
The center was designed by Ruble Mamura Moss Brygger Architects,
with interpretive displays by Split
Rock Studios, and is being built by W. A. Klinger Inc. with
17 local subcontractors and suppliers. The 8,750 sq. ft.
building will feature a 14 ft. bronze monument of Lewis and
Clark and their dog, Seaman, on a 2 ft. high stone base. Pat
Kennedy of Loveland, CO., cast the monument.
The building is expected to be a tourism magnet, particularly
during the upcoming Lewis and Clark bicentennial celebration. It
should be completed by early next summer. The center is tied in
with the city's new event center project that recently received
$21 million from Vision Iowa.
According to architect Owen Mamura; "This facility is more
than just a structure to house interpretive exhibits. We hope it
embraces the spirit of the Lewis and Clark adventure".
More
information about the MRHD:
The Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD)
is the non-profit organization that holds the riverboat gaming
license from the Iowa
Racing and Gaming Commission for the Belle
of Sioux City, Iowa. Its grant program is funded by
the money collected from the riverboat patrons as they board the
boat. MRHD offers one grant competition per year to
non-profit entities in Woodbury
County, Iowa (only!). Grant categories include
economic development, tourism, human and health services, civic,
public, charitable, patriotic, historical, religious, community
improvement, cultural, leisure and education. MHRD
allows only one application per institution per year, and does
not fund anyone for two consecutive competitions. Grants
average $10,000 or less. Phone: (712) 258-1070
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