It's All Perspective - May 10th, 2003

There's really not an uninteresting view of the Grand River Center at the Port of Dubuque. We had not taken photos inside the building in some time and since the exterior walls and metal roof went on the building in late winter, is has been hard to gauge progress on the center from afar. But it did not take long once entering the structure to realize just how much has been going on behind these walls. At first it appeared to be a maze of steel beams, wall studs, wiring and airflow ducts. Aside from the sheer size of the grand hall, it was hard to get a feeling for the atmosphere of the building. Then I found a set of steps in the center of the building and went to the second floor. I turned around and suddenly discovered that indeed, perceptive matters. From this vantage point I could look in four directions and get an amazing view of just how bold and sweeping the halls of this center were going to be. We tried our best to capture these impressive views on camera, but like so many wonders of modern architecture, you really had to be there to get the feeling of the moment. This will be a striking building when all is said and done.

The connecting pedestrian bridge to the Grand Harbor Resort is underway and the riverwalk is nearly completed as it runs through the Center's backyard so to speak. Now that glass is going in the river facing walls of the Grand River Center, the building emotes a boldness and a strength that is sure to impress the most critical of visitors. Skilled craftsmen joked with us, posing for pictures as we made our way through the complex. The sheer complexity of the infrastructure in this convention center is baffling to the untrained eye and to watch these men manipulate so many different mediums of their trade was interesting to witness. As we circled the building we were impressed with the new views that presented themselves with each vantage point. The the long halls and curved open spaces that make up the building are sure to open jaws of visitors for years to come.

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