New obstacle in Cedar Rapids museum move

CEDAR RAPIDS - April showers delayed last week's scheduled relocation of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Now moving crews face against another  challenge.

Museum spokeswoman Diana Baculis  said although dry weather is forecast for Iowa, the building won't move this week.

While preparing the 1,400-ton building for relocation - and to the surprise of structural engineers - it was discovered that the rear center, or Cedar River side, is 53 tons heavier than the front, Baculis said.

“In order to safely distribute the weight during the move, Patterson Structural Moving has ordered additional cross bracing and 100 foot steel beams,” she said. For cost effectiveness, the beams will be shipped from Florida and welded at the site.

Baculis said construction engineers have indicated that the new foundation/parking garage can easily handle the additional weight.

The original moving date of April 26 was postponed due to almost daily rain that made the road built for the move too slick to support the massive structure.

Last week, crews from Jeremy Patterson Structural Moving & Shoring of Washington, Iowa, elevated the building 6 feet to prepare for the move to its new location, about 480 feet away.

A new moving date has not been set.