A Monumental Move

Updates

Museum Reaches Destination - It's now on the Rise!

As of June 21st, the museum reached its destination (480 feet from its original location) and is now being prepped for lifting. The building has to be lifted an additional 11 feet before it can roll back on the slab and come to rest. This phase will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Keep watching the web cams as we continue our historic journey!

Museum on the Move Again

The historic “pivot” of the flood-damaged National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) will begin on Saturday, June 18 in the morning. Crews from Patterson Structural Moving have placed heavy metal plates over the road and will proceed with the pivot in the morning. The river side will then become the front side of the relocated and elevated museum. Plans call for moving the building just parallel with the new foundation/parking garage by the end of the day. Severe weather and lighting could slow or interrupt the progress of the operation.

Museum to Move June 8 at 8 a.m.

16th Avenue SW in Czech Village and Bridge of Lions will close to get a firsthand view of the move.

Professionals evaluate weight to ensure a safe move

With the additional weight of bracing and steel support added to the building, it now weighs 1740 tons. This is requiring structural engineers and Patterson Structural Movers to review all procedures to ensure the safety of workers and the building in preparation for the move. A move date will be announced as soon as possible. Additionally, dry weather conditions are needed to move the building.

Museum sits 6 feet in the air while crews ready for the move!

Although, dry weather is now forecast for Iowa, officials at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library have determined that the flood-damaged building will not move the week of May 2. 

While preparing the 1400-ton building for relocation, and to the surprise of structural engineers, it was discovered that the rear center (river side) is 53 tons heavier than the front. In order to safely distribute the weight during the move, Patterson Structural Moving has ordered additional cross bracing and 100 ft. steel beams. For cost effectiveness, the beams will be shipped from Florida and welded at the site. Construction engineers have indicated that the new foundation/parking garage can easily handle the additional weight. A new date for moving the museum and library has not been determined.

Monumental Move has Many Meanings

In May, Cedar Rapids, Iowa will be the site of the biggest museum move in U.S. history. It will involve 3,000,000 pounds of brick and mortar (1,500 tons), or roughly the equivalent of nearly four fully loaded Boeing 747 aircraft or 36 full semi-trailers.

The NCSML has been told this is the largest museum ever moved according to Patterson Structural Moving. There have been bigger structures moved, but not bigger museums.

We welcome you to learn more about our Monumental Move.

Specific timeframes for moving will depend on weather, but the entire move should take 7 days plus 45-60 days of preparation. The most difficult part of the project is jacking it up next to the parking garage and pulling the steel beams out at the end.