Latest news with #TheodoreRooseveltPresidentialLibrary
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Theodore Roosevelt's $400M mass timber library rises in North Dakota
This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. Vancouver, British Columbia-based Mercer Mass Timber has completed the first phase of construction on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, according to a May 20 news release. The project's construction costs total $400 million, per a funding breakdown by the library. Phase one of construction on the 93,000-square-foot structure began last year, and is centered on the museum building and its roof, according to the news release. Kansas City, Missouri-based JE Dunn is the general contractor on the project, according to Mercer Mass Timber's project page. The roof is designed to echo the rolling topography of the North Dakota Badlands, and requires precisely engineered connections and joints supported by steel wrapped in wood to maintain a seamless timber look. Mercer Mass Timber, a subsidiary of wood pulp producer Mercer International, is supplying 1,800 cubic meters of cross-laminated timber and glulam for the structure, which includes custom glulam connections to support the curved roof, according to the release. The final mass timber delivery date will be on June 1, which coincides with the start date of the second phase of construction. During that phase, Mercer Mass Timber will contribute canopies designed to support photovoltaic panels. Mercer Mass Timber debuted a construction services division last year, amid growing demand for mass timber in building. "This project is a testament to what visionary design combined with advanced mass timber engineering can create," said Ricardo Brites, director of engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber, in the news release. Although Roosevelt's home state was New York, he took refuge in North Dakota after his wife and mother died on the same day in 1884. He said without having spent time there, he never would have become president. The library is set to open on July 4, 2026. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislature removes $50M in state funding for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Graphic rendering of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library exterior breezeway. (Contributed/Snohetta) The North Dakota Legislature removed $50 million in state funding for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library endowment, but indicated the proposal may be back next session. The funding was removed from the Department of Commerce budget in a compromise between the House and the Senate. The House earlier had advanced the proposal to help the library with operational costs, but some objected to the funding being proposed so late in the session. 'There have been no hearings or any kind of consideration in the Senate,' Sen. Michael Dwyer, R-Bismarck, said during floor discussion on Senate Bill 2018. The library is under construction in Medora near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with a grand opening planned for July 4, 2026. Lawmakers in 2019 approved $50 million in state funding for a library endowment. North Dakota House advances $50M in state funds for presidential library Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, advocated for additional library endowment funding, which would have been contingent on the library matching the dollars with private funds. On Friday, he said legislators could revisit the proposal in the session that begins in January 2027. At that time, lawmakers would have a better idea of the operational costs after the library has been operating for a few months. 'We can then take a look at it at a little bit more leisurely pace and take our time to delve into this,' Nathe said. Several lawmakers said they were told in 2019 that there would not be additional state funding requested for the presidential library. 'I do remember it being expressed as a one-time funding type of deal,' said Rep. Jeff Hoverson, R-Minot. He added the critics of the original funding were proven right six years later. The state Parks and Recreation budget also contains a $70 million line of credit through the state-owned Bank of North Dakota for the library, continuing what lawmakers approved in 2023. The loan, which can only be used for construction costs, is meant to keep the project moving if there are donations that have been pledged but not yet received by the library foundation. So far, the library has not accessed the line of credit. The budget for the state Industrial Commission includes up to $5 million for the presidential library to pay for some of the interest to the Bank of North Dakota if the line of credit is used. The Industrial Commission budget had not been approved by lawmakers as of Friday morning. North Dakota Senate rejects proposal to replace Chinese-made drones Previously, Matt Briney, spokesperson for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, said the group had raised $286 million in private donations as of mid-April. The overall $158 million Department of Commerce budget sent to the governor includes $9 million for the state to replace state-owned drones that were made in China, which supporters say pose security concerns. The Senate had previously rejected a similar proposal, but compromised on a reduced amount in the Commerce budget. The bill also contains a name change for the Office of Legal Immigration, which lawmakers established in 2023. The new name would be the Global Talent Office, to better reflect the agency's work. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
