CEDAR RAPIDS - The flood damaged Czech and Slovak Museum and Library now knows where it wants to rebuild.

The museum wants to rebuild in Czech Village, right next to its flood damaged museum, where the Round House stands. Now, the NCSML is trying to work with the city to develop that land.

They will ask the city to have the Round House moved or demolished and to close A Street SW to through traffic, among other site improvements.

The NCSML says the design process for the new exhibition center and library is expected to begin this fall with construction scheduled for completion in 2012.

“We intend to build the new museum above a level of parking to protect it from future flooding,” said Gail Naughton, president/CEO.

The NCSML says an effort is underway to raise the funds required before beginning construction. “Preliminary estimates are in the range of $18 to $20 million,” said Naughton. “It is important that we have reached that goal in cash and pledges before we start the project.”

The new exhibition center and library is the largest of four rebuilding projects for the NCSML. The other three projects are to 1) restore the historic Kosek building in Czech Village for a new exhibition, programs and administrative space – set to open early 2010; 2) restore the historic homes under museum ownership, including the 1880s immigrant home; and 3) mount a new, permanent exhibition in the new exhibition center and library.

The NCSML says the decision on rebuilding was informed by a national public input process that gathered opinions and ideas through surveys, public meetings and small-group stakeholder meetings. Over 850 people from all over the U.S., and a few from outside the country, participated. The board has formed a committee to study the possible role of the flood-damaged museum building. A decision is expected later this fall.