Wildlife museum ground breaking

Gov. Mel Carnahan, left, and John L. Morris, president of Bass Pro Shops, participated in a ground breaking Oct. 4 for the new Wonders of Wildlife, American National Fish and Wildlfe Museum. Dave Coonrod, Greene County presiding commissioner, and City Councilman Ralph Manley are pictured in the background. The $50 million project is funded by an increase in Springfield's hotel-motel tax, along with state money and a private donation from Morris. John Moore, president of one of the museum's two boards, said the goal is for the facility to open July 1, 2001. The museum boards have started a search for an executive director and are working to secure interim bond financing for the project. The architect for the project is Massachusetts-based Cambridge Seven, and the contractor is New York-based Turner Construction.