Vision for historic riverfront building advances as organisers seek cost estimates
Plans to repurpose the former Big Muddy’s restaurant on Burlington’s riverfront into a regional attraction are moving forward after organisers secured $150,000 in financial commitments and began work to determine the cost of making the 1898 freight building flood‑resilient.
The project, known as Big Muddy’s Building Resurrection, is being led by the Des Moines County Conservation Board in partnership with the Partners for Conservation Foundation and the Greater Burlington Convention and Visitors Bureau. Its proponents say the restored site would celebrate the Mississippi River, its ecology and the region’s conservation history while providing public exhibits and a working restaurant.
Organisers want to blend elements of existing river‑ and conservation‑focused institutions in the region, naming the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque and the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo, Wisconsin, as inspiration for what the Burlington site could offer.
“We are grinding away behind the scenes currently,” said Chris Lee, executive director of Des Moines County Conservation. “We don’t have a formal fundraising campaign going yet, mostly because we don’t know how much the project will cost.”
Engineering and flood protection top the list of next steps
The immediate priority, Lee told the Des Moines County Supervisors, is to obtain engineering assessments and cost estimates to address structural, environmental and flood‑proofing concerns. Built in 1898 as a freight building and later occupied by Big Muddy’s restaurant, the riverfront structure requires careful analysis before a fundraising campaign can be launched in earnest.
“I’ve contacted an engineering firm to at least try to move forward with plans and cost estimates to flood proof the place,” Lee said. Once those analyses are complete, organisers plan to move into broader fundraising efforts.
Seed money in place; larger campaign pending scope and price
So far, the project has attracted private commitments totalling $150,000. Marcia Wiedemeier contributed $50,000, while the Murray Foundation pledged $100,000 spread over two years. Those donations are being used to advance planning work and demonstrate early community support.
| Donor | Committed amount |
|---|---|
| Marcia Wiedemeier | $50,000 |
| Murray Foundation | $100,000 (over two years) |
| Total | $150,000 |
Organisers also noted that River Days, an annual fundraiser tied to the waterfront, has the potential to become a larger revenue source. Lee told county supervisors that post‑event analysis indicates River Days could net six figures in future years, which could be channelled to support the restoration and programming at the building.
What the attraction could include
The project vision includes:
- Mississippi River aquariums and ecological exhibits;
- Displays on regional history and the conservation legacy of Aldo Leopold;
- A working restaurant that keeps a public presence on the riverfront.
Organisers say the goal is to create a destination that attracts visitors from across the region while preserving and celebrating local natural resources.
Local implications and next steps
For Burlington residents, a restored Big Muddy’s building could mean increased tourism traffic on the riverfront, new educational and recreational programming, and potential economic benefits for nearby businesses. At the same time, addressing flood risk and structural integrity will be essential to safeguard public investment and ensure long‑term viability.
The next concrete milestone will be the completion of engineering work and firm cost estimates, after which the project leaders expect to launch a formal fundraising campaign and set an implementation timeline. Until that work is done, organisers say they will continue to negotiate partnerships and lay the groundwork for a project that aims to marry heritage, conservation and community use along Burlington’s riverfront.
Reporting is based on statements made to the Des Moines County Supervisors and information provided by Des Moines County Conservation and project partners.
