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Associated Press - November 14, 2009 10:04 AM ET
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Officials from the World Food Prize Foundation and city of Des Moines plan to sign agreements transferring ownership of a landmark former library.
After foundation president Kenneth Quinn and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie sign the agreements Monday, work will begin on a nearly $30 million restoration project, transforming the 106-year-old building into the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates. The building names honors Borlaug, the Iowa native who founded the organization and who died Sept. 12.
The structure will serve as a museum recognizing achievements in agriculture and a community hall for a variety of events, including the annual Borlaug Dialogue.
The building overlooks the Des Moines River in the heart of Des Moines and served as the main library from 1903 to 2006.
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