The start of construction of $11.6
million in improvements to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden will be
marked with a groundbreaking ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Thursday in the geodesic
dome. Improvements include upgrading the original 1979 electrical and
mechanical systems, and renovating the program and meeting rooms and lobby. The
only addition to the building will be a café with an exterior terrace
overlooking a new water garden and the Des Moines River. The Botanical
Garden will be open seven days a week through June 30. After a two-month
closure for interior renovations, the facility will reopen in September.