We would like to share a brief update on this important project. We know it's been several months since the last entry, but things have started happening just recently!
The new visitor services facility and administrative headquarters for Harry S Truman National Historic Site will be build on a nice parcel of land that was donated to the National Park Service by the City of Independence...a further example of the City's commitment to our partnership and our visitors.
The is presently vacant and had most recently been used in part as a commercial garage and in part as housing. The park recently did a soil analysis of the property, to determine if there were any hazardous soils remaining. We want to ensure that this project is in compliance with all environmental laws and policies. Some contaminents were found, and were disposed of properly.
In late 2023, the park began the preliminary design phase, working with a strong interdisciplinary team including the architects and engineers, NPS staff from the park, the NPS Denver Service Center, our regional office in Omaha, Nebraska, our Harpers Ferry Center, and more. The team has been discussing design options, discussing the desired visitor experience, traffic and visitation patterns, and more.
All of this will lead to a preliminary design, perhaps in late spring or early summer, 2024. At that time, the park will be holding a public listening session so that citizens and stakeholders can share their voices. We should also have a firm grasp on a timeline and cost.
It's an intense project for sure, with a lot of moving parts. But every day, our staff is humbled at the commitment so many have made to make this a successful project.
President and Mrs. Truman would be proud of this community and team effort.
We sure are!
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January 29, 2024
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Last updated: January 29, 2024