FAQ – Then and Now
| Location | Soybean field – western edge of CoralvilleOne mile away from I-80 & I-380 | EPA Brownfield site”Gateway” to communityCloser to University of IowaAdjacent to I-80 with unobscured visabilityIntegral part of development site |
| Project | Many pieces included in one large structureLimited expansion and phasing | Separate project connected to nearby conference center/hotelAllows for phasing and future expansion of individual elements |
| Learning | School in rain forestOther educational content unclear | Education partnerships with local and Iowa schools and universitiesBetter defined learning opportunities for all agesEducation Design Team establishedAddition of U of I Professor Robert Yager |
| Cost | $293 million without parking hotel/conference center (year 1999 dollars) | $225 million (year 2002 dollars) |
| Size | Five plus acres | 4.6 acres – smaller footprint |
| Exhibit Content | An African Rain ForestA separate aquarium | Multiple ecosystems inside/outside including Amazon rainforest, indigenous prairies, forest, wetlandsGalleries/exhibits on agriculture, geology, wind, fire, sea, and skyAll vegetation/plants are realIntegrated aquarium |
| Water Usage | Undefined | External water purification gardens featuring wetlands plants of IowaThirty million gallons of rainwater falls on site annually – will be recaptured66% percent reduction in water systems within building |
| Energy Usage | Conventional heating and cooling | State-of-the-art design meets or exceeds state and national energy codesAdditional use of energy-saving geothermal and fuel cell technologiesUse of energy-efficient three-layer foil exterior similar to Eden Project |
| Environmental Impact | Undefined | Utilizes ecologically-sound materialWaste and water recycledUse of rail spur to connect key city/university locations, reducing auto usageInterpretive exterior pathways and exhibitsHiking/biking trailLocation allows for direct access to I-80, reduced impact on city streetsProject to be a catalyst for meeting/planning/thinking/writing on sustainable living |
| Hotel | 600 rooms | Separate 200-room hotel with potential for expansion to 300 rooms |
| Conference Center | Undefined | 30,000 square feet with potential for expansion to 60,000 square feet”Best of Iowa” exhibit in lobbyIowa River featured |
| Parking | Undefined | European-style structure with plantings on roof and capacity for 2,400 cars |
| Community Connection | Location announced 12/00 with little community dialogue | 40 meetings with local citizens groupsCreation of Community Advisory CouncilScheduled meetings/workshops/forums |
| Timeline | Undefined | Five-year plan for design/construction/opening |
| Name | Iowa CHILD | New name to be selected by end of year |
| Other Developments | Site visits to: EPCOT/Disney World (FL); Eden Project (UK); Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga)Future visits to Baltimore AquariumWorking visits to Iowa planned by experts David Orr, Jonathon Todd, John Picard, James Doherty |
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