07/09/2001

In November 1999, with support from the Mayor of Denver, Wellington Webb, the citizens of the city and county of Denver voted in support of a $ 62,500,000 (€ 68,132,700) bond initiative to expand the Denver Art Museum. In addition to the public's vote of confidence for expansion, the Denver Art Museum Board of Trustees also pledged to raise an additional $ 50,000,000 (€ 54,506,166) endowment to cover operating costs for a new wing. The decision to expand resulted after years of record-setting attendance and membership levels at the Museum. In July 2000, internationally-renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind, was chosen as lead architect for the expansion. The proposed 146,000 square foot new addition will be sited on city-owned property south of 13th Avenue and across the street from the existing museum and its construction, to be carried out by M.A. Mortenson Company, will cost $ 42,000,000 (€ 45,785,180). The present Denver Art Museum building is approximately 210,000 square feet. Building has been scheduled to begin in 2003 with completion scheduled for spring 2005. (James Goulder)