Fort Madison, IA – The current Fort Madison Public Library opened its doors in late 2007.
It replaced two facilities: The Cattermole Memorial Library and the Idol Rashid Library.
The Cattermole building has sat vacant for the last four years.
There is now an effort underway to transform the building into a cultural center.
Mary Ottosen with Fort Madison Main Street says the first floor of the building would house exhibits highlighting local history.
"(They could include) our bicentennial, Old Fort Madison, our Hispanic, African American, and German Heritage," says Ottosen, "there are a plethora of stories that need to be told here and right now there is not an outlet here."
Ottosen says the second floor would become office space for Fort Madison Partners.
That organization includes Fort Madison Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce.
Ottosen says the project will cost about $1-million.
She says roughly 1/3 of that has already been secured, with additional grants and tax credits being sought.
Ottosen expects a public fundraising campaign to get underway soon.