Rain delays, but doesn't halt, progress on museum move

A rain delay this morning hasn't stopped progress in moving the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

As of about 11 a.m., the building had moved 100 feet, halfway to its intended position expected today, said Rod Scott, spokesman for Jeremy Patterson Structural Moving and Shoring of Washington, Iowa.

The building is expected to pivot 90 degrees this afternoon.

Crowds this morning – possibly kept at bay due to thunderstorms – were much smaller than the 10,000 anticipated.

Several hundred people gathered to watch museum CEO and president Gail Naughton send off the building by cracking a bottle of champagne on its side.

“Good morning Cedar Rapids, good morning Iowa; good morning world,” Naughton said at 8:30 a.m., after a rain delay of 45 minutes. “We are moving the museum.”

David Mefford, 56, of Cedar Rapids, shot video from the 12

^th

Avenue SW bridge overlooking the site.

Mefford, a retired laborer, watched points on the wheels underneath the building to gauge its moving distance.

“I'm impressed,” he said. “Look how far it's gone.”

Avery Lympus, 4, and her sister Sydney, 9, walked with their grandparents, Melvin and Donna Simoens of Cedar Rapids, as cousin Jaycie Thompson, 18 months, was pushed in a stroller.

“I never thought a building could move,” Sydney said.

Donna Simoens said they had no difficulties with traffic or in finding a parking spot.

The main street through Czech Village, 16

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Avenue SW, will be blocked to traffic today until 8 p.m.

Scott said work will continue throughout the day and into the night if needed.

The entire process could take 4 to 8 weeks.

Once the building is pivoted, it will be moved another 200 feet or so Thursday, to position it in front of its new foundation. It will then be elevated before it is set on the foundation.