Projects

The Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center is an 8,000 square foot building constructed by the CEC team. During construction, Clinton Engineering experienced the challenges that life along the Might Mississippi can bring, flooding. The team built docks to work from during flooding, and sandbagging allowed for concrete beams to still be poured.

The building is a conventional wood stick building and was elevated to ensure that the first floor never gets flooded, and water that may flow into the basement is managed with equalized pressure.

Notably, the building was constructed with one side left off to accommodate the installation of an impressive 8-foot by 20-foot fish aquarium. We used a removable panel design, allowing for easy maintenance and updating.

The Eco Center serves as an engaging and informative destination for visitors, offering educational displays, a classroom, banquet and meeting space and a camp store. Additionally, the 8,000-gallon aquarium is filled with a variety of fish that can be found in the Mississippi River. There are pontoon rides on the “Blue Heron” as well as canoe and kayak rentals to explore the wildlife that is common to the backwaters of the “Great River”.

 

 

Redevelopment of the riverfront was based on the City’s “Things To Do…With A River View” initiative. The project was assisted by an Iowa Great Places award and financial assistance from Vision Iowa, former Governor Tom Vilsack’s program that helped communities across Iowa bring recreation, education, entertainment, and cultural projects to life. The project included a brand-new marina and a building to house a restaurant, amenities for boaters, and much more.

Over 88% of the work was performed by Clinton-region contractors and suppliers, with Clinton Engineering self-performing 60% of the total work. The project was a true example of a community coming together, so much so the City received an Eddy Award from the River Action Board of Directors for exemplifying excellence on the riverfront. Clinton Engineering received a “Toot Your Own Horn” award in 2010 from the Clinton Convention & Visitors Bureau, recognizing this project as well as many other high-profile projects that Clinton Engineering has built along the riverfront since 1926.

Amenities Building

• Nearly 10,000 square feet of total finished space
• The ground floor houses a “Ship’s Store” that includes clothing, snacks and drinks, boating items, bait, and more; plus laundry facilities and men and women’s showers for boaters’ use
• The upper floor is home to Candlelight Inn that includes almost 7,000 SQ FT of dining, kitchen, bar, storage, and restroom space
• Approximately 3,696 SQ FT of deck space to accommodate outdoor seating and a lower patio deck area that is approximately 7,500 SQ FT
• Lighted parking lot

Marina

• Over 100 new covered and uncovered slips
• Ready access to water and power at all slips
• New fuel dockage
• Secure privacy gates
• An assortment of new gangways
• A 2,275 SQ FT floating amenities party deck