| While
changes inside the River Discovery Center continue at a brisk pace,
it is outside that the changes are most photographically noticeable
on this day. The exterior of the museum itself appears to be complete.
Workers put river rock on the roof of the center in the first photos
from this set. Diego begins staining the newly refurbished paddle
wheel while the restored train depot takes it's final form. Though
little was left of the structure midway through renovation, the new
building will look at close to original as possible. If we remember
correctly, this will be the cafe portion of the museum complex. Though
containing large amounts of acid, it was exciting to see the aquariums
full of of water all over the museum. The acid will cleanse and prepare
the aquariums for the wildlife that will soon inhabit them. Interior
details continue to show themselves with great features like the
wooden ribbed ceilings that line the hallways of the museum. Back
outside, the most impressive changes were in the educational wetlands.
Below are a number of photos of the boardwalk that meanders through
the wetlands. Though only containing a couple feet of water right
now, this area will eventually feature water up to just a few inches
below the planks visitors will walk on. A huge amount of decking
is also being constructed to fill the space between the museum and
the wetlands as seen below. The first photo in the last row shows
the retaining wall that is being constructed along the harbor to
widen the stretch of land between the water and the train tracks.
This will allow for a two lane road and walkway to be built along
side the train tracks. Eventually, this will provide access to the
area from an entrance located at the stoplight on HWY. 151 behind
Herbst Upholstery (you know, the little Statue of Liberty). The last
photo of the set shows the foundation at the back corner of the property
along the wetlands path which will hold a log cabin donated to the
museum by the Herrig family of Dubuque. The opening date for the
Museum has been announced as June 28th. That means it's buckle down
time to meet that aggressive deadline. |
