Fresno City Hall is a post-modern futurist structure in Fresno, California , designed by architect Arthur Erickson . The building serves as the seat of the city government and houses the mayor's office and the Fresno City Council chambers.
89-734: Canadian architect Arthur Erickson designed the look of the City Hall building for local architect William Patnaude. Erickson also designed One California Plaza in Los Angeles, California and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. , among other notable works. The Fresno City Hall building anchors the northern end of the "Mariposa Mall", a twelve-block civic corridor which ends with the Fresno County Courthouse on
178-405: A council-manager government, with the council members elected at-large. In 1967, the city changed its government to elect four of the seven city council members from single-member districts or wards, rather than at-large. This enabled a broader representation of voters. As with many major urban areas, the city core began losing population to the suburbs in the 1960s (the peak population of 208,982
267-400: A 'chimney' for the museum's amphitheater, where visitors can overlook visiting artists as they create glass art. Large public art displays and concrete plazas overlook the neighbouring waterway, while pools of water interlaced with stairs and switchback ramps to connect each levels. The museum aims to connect the downtown core to the city's waterfront as well, through a 150-foot long bridge named
356-516: A 5-foot-thick (1.5 m) coal bed. By 1876, this mine employed 150 men and shipped 20 carloads of coal per day. By 1885, numerous mine shafts were within the city limits, and mining began to spread into the surrounding countryside. By 1893, 23 mines were in the region. By 1908, Des Moines' coal resources were largely exhausted. In 1912, Des Moines still had eight locals of the United Mine Workers union, representing 1,410 miners. This
445-572: A Canadian architect and urban planner . He studied at the University of British Columbia and, in 1950, received his B.Arch. (Honours) from McGill University . He is known as Canada's most influential architect and was the only Canadian architect to win the American Institute of Architects AIA Gold Medal (in 1986, for the Embassy of Canada, Washington, D.C. ). When told of Erickson's award, Philip Johnson said, "Arthur Erickson
534-460: A covered plaza with massive skylights which respond to Vancouver’s wet climate. The campus is landscaped to provide numerous small spaces for study; it in centre, Erickson placed a large rectangular pool containing an enormous block of Fraser River jade. Perhaps most significantly, academic disciplines are not isolated in separate buildings; the campus is a quadrangle designed so that people have to cross paths and interact with each other. The design
623-428: A female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between
712-586: A half-opened tuna can, as one man called it." The local American Institute of Architects chapter president had a more positive review, saying "I think it is a great building for the city. It does a wonderful thing for architecture because it is so controversial." The building dedication ceremony occurred on February 17, 1992, Presidents' Day . It was attended by Lieutenant Governor of California Leo T. McCarthy , as well as architect Arthur Erickson, California assemblymen Jim Costa , Bill Jones and Bruce Bronzan . The New Deal era building which no longer housed
801-527: A large civic center, Erickson’s design for Robson Square included waterfalls, a roof garden, several plazas, and stairs with ramps integrated within. This complex is one of the few in North America that integrates everything from public space and landscape to a set of surrounding buildings, spanning from the art gallery to the law courts. Many changes have been made to the square since it was first built, and some complain that certain changes conflict with
890-465: A large sloping roof and two separate peaks in the center was presented to the city council and approved with a vote of 4-2. Dissenting councilman Tom McMichael voiced his concerns, saying "this looks like a Klingon warship. I thought the arch was kind of a nice building." The design met with mixed reviews. The deputy city manager said "we've heard it described as anything from Twin Peaks to Madonna's bra to
979-575: A peak in the warmer months. Winters are slightly colder than Chicago , but still warmer than Minneapolis , with summer temperatures being very similar between the Upper Midwest metropolitan areas. The city has the largest African American population in Iowa. The 2020 United States census counted 214,133 people, 87,958 households, and 48,599 families in Des Moines. The population density
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#17327823971411068-410: A project to provide local employment and improve infrastructure. The ornamental fountains that stood along the riverbank were buried in the 1950s when the city began a postindustrial decline that lasted until the late 1980s. The city has since rebounded, transforming from a blue-collar industrial city to a white-collar professional city. In 1907, the city adopted a city commission government known as
1157-496: A sizable financial-services and publishing business base. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group , Ruan Transportation, TMC Transportation, EMC Insurance Companies, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield . Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo , Cognizant , Voya Financial , Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company , ACE Limited , Bayer , and Corteva have large operations in or near
1246-567: A structure which represented Canada, it is this building which won Erickson the AIA Gold Medal . The Museum of Glass was built in the city of Tacoma , Washington, as part of an initiative to revitalize the waterfront which was one of the most polluted industrial areas in Washington in the past. Erickson's design for the museum features a 90-foot-tall metal cone erupting from a structure of steel and concrete. The enormous cone acts as
1335-527: Is a member of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA . Through ICLEI, Des Moines has implemented "The Tomorrow Plan", a regional plan focused on developing central Iowa in a sustainable fashion, centrally-planned growth, and resource consumption to manage the local population. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 90.65 square miles (234.78 km ), of which 88.93 square miles (230.33 km )
1424-536: Is at the juncture of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. It is mostly a level prairie with a few swells or hills around it. We have a court house of "brick" and one church, a plain, framed building belonging to the Methodists. There are two taverns here, one of which has a most important little bell that rings together some fifty boarders. I cannot tell you how many dwellings there are, for I have not counted them; some are of logs, some of brick, some framed, and some are
1513-813: Is by far the greatest architect in Canada, and he may be the greatest on this continent." Erickson was born in Vancouver, British Columbia , on June 14, 1924. The son of Oscar Erickson and Myrtle Chatterson, he had an early interest, and talent for, painting and horticulture. As had his father, Erickson served in the Canadian Army, enlisting with the Canadian Army Intelligence Corps during World War II and serving in India, British Ceylon , and Malaysia. Erickson’s original intention
1602-457: Is land and 1.73 square miles (4.48 km ) is covered by water. It is 850 feet (260 m) above sea level at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. In November 2005, Des Moines voters approved a measure that allowed the city to annex parcels of land in the northeast, southeast, and southern corners of Des Moines without agreement by local residents, particularly areas bordering
1691-494: Is located on top of Burnaby Mountain , at Greater Vancouver's eastern edge, 1,214 feet above sea level. The scale of the project is reminiscent of utopian designs from French architects in the late eighteenth century such as Etienne-Louis Bouillee , and provides a balance between the British Columbia context and the structural ambitions of the 1960s period of Modern architecture . The unfinished concrete blends in with
1780-485: Is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa . It is the county seat of Polk County with parts extending into Warren County . It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines , which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. It is located on, and named after, the Des Moines River , which likely was adapted from the early French name, Rivière des Moines, meaning "River of
1869-658: The Chihuly Bridge of Glass . The bridge is named after Tacoma native Dale Chihuly , who was a pioneer of the Studio Glass Movement and has many works on display at the museum. Arthur Erickson divided the archives of his work among several Canadian repositories. The Canadian Architecture Collection of McGill University holds his Middle East projects from 1975-1997, as well as other architectural drawings and biographical and professional papers from pre-1950 to 1987. The Canadian Architectural Archives at
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#17327823971411958-491: The Iowa Highway 5 / U.S. 65 bypass. The annexations became official on June 26, 2009, as 5,174 acres (20.94 km ) and around 868 new residents were added to the city of Des Moines. An additional 759 acres (3.07 km ) were voluntarily annexed to the city over that same period. The skyline of Des Moines changed in the 1970s and the 1980s, when several new skyscrapers were built. Additional skyscrapers were built in
2047-587: The Monks ". The city's population was 214,133 as of the 2020 census . The six-county metropolitan area is ranked 81st in terms of population in the United States , with 709,466 residents according to the 2020 census by the United States Census Bureau , and is the largest metropolitan area fully located within the state. Des Moines is a major center of the United States insurance industry and has
2136-799: The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, were inspired by the post and beam architecture of the Coastal First Nations , Asian temples and the North American log cabin. Erickson is also known for numerous futuristic designs such as the Fresno City Hall , the UCI School of Biological Sciences and the 1967 Catton House, also known as the 'Starship House'. His work balanced the style of modernism with an integration of
2225-457: The Point Grey residence in Vancouver, BC. After his death, the foundation was expanded to offer education, research, and work in preservation with stewardship, education, and tours offered to keep people informed about the legacy of one of Canada's first internationally acclaimed architects. Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines ( / d ə ˈ m ɔɪ n / də- MOYN )
2314-481: The University of Oregon and the University of British Columbia, during which time he designed some of British Columbia's most important houses-- Canadian Homes Magazine called his 1959 Filberg House "Canada's most fabulous house". Erickson spent a few years at Thompson Berwick and Pratt and Partners then, in 1962, founded Erickson/Massey Architects with Geoffrey Massey . In 1963, Erickson and Massey submitted
2403-496: The 1990s, including Iowa's tallest. Before then, the 19-story Equitable Building , from 1924, was the tallest building in the city and the tallest building in Iowa. The 25-story Financial Center was completed in 1973 and the 36-story Ruan Center was completed in 1974. They were later joined by the 33-story Des Moines Marriott Hotel (1981), the 25-story HUB Tower and 25-story Plaza Building (1985). Iowa's tallest building, Principal Financial Group 's 45-story tower at 801 Grand
2492-668: The 20 committees which regulate what happens on Pennsylvania Avenue. He blended the Neoclassicism of existing structures with the idiom of the Plantation house to create an expanse of space. Oberlander landscaped the courtyard with northern plants; Erickson had Haida artist Bill Reid create the massive sculpture Spirit of Haida Gwaii , the Black Canoe, which sits in the courtyard in a pool of water. While his detractors may have had initial doubts about his ability to create
2581-606: The Arthur Erickson Foundation. The foundation has been registered in the province of British Columbia since 1993 as a non-profit charitable society. Founded originally as the Arthur Erickson House and Garden Foundation in 1993, the organization was created by Erickson's neighbour and fellow landscape architect Elizabeth Watts in order to raise money to buy Erickson's Point Grey home after he went bankrupt. The society succeeded and became owner of
2670-563: The Cobb family, early settlers of the Fresno area who opened successful businesses, donated $ 100,000 for the fountain. Other donors also contributed to keep the fountain as part of the project. Fresno has occupied multiple city hall buildings since its inception. The first permanent city hall was completed in 1907 at Merced and Broadway streets, across from the Hotel Fresno . The construction
2759-477: The Des Moines Plan, comprising an elected mayor and four commissioners, all elected at-large , who were responsible for public works, public property, public safety, and finance. Considered progressive at the time, it diluted the votes of ethnic and national minorities, who generally could not command a majority to elect a candidate of their choice. That form of government was scrapped in 1950 in favor of
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2848-611: The Des Moines Public Library, designed by renowned architect David Chipperfield of London, opened on April 8, 2006. The World Food Prize Foundation, which is based in Des Moines, completed adaptation and restoration of the former Des Moines Public Library building in October 2011. The former library now serves as the home and headquarters of the Norman Borlaug /World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. At
2937-788: The Des Moines River. Based on archaeological evidence, the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers has attracted humans for at least 7,000 years. Several prehistoric occupation areas have been identified by archaeologists in downtown Des Moines . Discovered in December 2010, the " Palace " is an expansive 7,000-year-old site found during excavations prior to construction of the new wastewater treatment plant in southeast Des Moines. It contains well-preserved house deposits and numerous graves. More than 6,000 artifacts were found at this site. State of Iowa archaeologist John Doershuk
3026-720: The Polk County Administrative Building, with a newer addition); and the City Hall are surviving examples of the 1900–1910 buildings. They form the Civic Center Historic District . The ornate riverfront balustrades that line the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers were built by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s, during the Great Depression under Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt , as
3115-718: The Royal Bank Award. In 1973, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1981. Erickson received the Chicago Architectural Award in 1984 alongside Philip Johnson and Joan Burgee . In 1986, he received the AIA Gold Medal , making him the first ever Canadian architect to receive this award. Erickson lived in Point Grey with his life partner and interior design collaborator, Francisco Kripacz. He died in Vancouver on May 20, 2009. His legacy still lives on through
3204-544: The State of Iowa Historical Museum (1987). The Des Moines skywalk also began to take shape during the 1980s. The skywalk system is 4 miles (6.4 km) long and connects many downtown buildings. In the early 21st century, the city has had more major construction in the downtown area. The new Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater and the Iowa Events Center opened in 2005. The new central branch of
3293-456: The University of Calgary hold material that covers the 1963–1970 years. The Canadian Centre for Architecture fonds documents his work from 1947-2002. Erickson was the mentor of many other noted local architects and urbanists, including founding members of many of Vancouver's premier design-oriented architectural firms. His buildings were also the subject of paintings by artists including Vancouver-based Tiko Kerr . In 1971, he received
3382-533: The age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04. The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
3471-476: The ages of 18 and 24; 29.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female. As of the 2000 census, there were 198,682 people, 80,504 households, and 48,704 families in the city. The population density was 2,621.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,012.1/km ). There were 85,067 housing units at an average density of 1,122.3 per square mile (433.3/km ). The racial makeup of
3560-420: The area, mining coal from the riverbank for the fort's blacksmith. Settlers occupied the abandoned fort and nearby areas. On May 25, 1846, the state legislature designated Fort Des Moines as the seat of Polk County. Arozina Perkins, a school teacher who spent the winter of 1850–1851 in the town of Fort Des Moines, was not favorably impressed: This is one of the strangest looking "cities" I ever saw... This town
3649-423: The building in 1988. Patnaude enlisted Arthur Erickson for creating the look of the building. Erickson had won an AIA Gold Medal award a few years earlier for his lifetime body of work in architecture. The original architectural design included a three-story arch in the middle and a massive vertical façade. Preliminary cost estimating determined that this arch design would end up over-budget. A new design featuring
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3738-571: The building. Due to its placement below-grade, it can go unnoticed to pedestrians walking by. The interior of the building was designed by Erickson's life partner Francisco Kipacz, the only Canadian published as "Designer of the Year" by the American Press Institute . The interior used a colour palette of grey and silver to harmonize with the concrete structure and create a peaceful atmosphere. This interior has since been retrofitted by
3827-734: The center of North America and far removed from large bodies of water, the Des Moines area has a hot summer type humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfa ), with warm to hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Summer temperatures can often climb into the 90 °F (32 °C) range, occasionally reaching 100 °F (38 °C). Humidity can be high in spring and summer, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms . Fall brings pleasant temperatures and colorful fall foliage . Winters vary from moderately cold to bitterly cold, with low temperatures venturing below 0 °F (−18 °C) quite often. Snowfall averages 36.5 inches (93 cm) per season, and annual precipitation averages 36.55 inches (928 mm), with
3916-433: The city council became known as "Old City Hall", and was converted to an annex. The building was used as a filming location for the 1994 science-fiction movie The Puppet Masters , with the exterior serving as Des Moines City Hall. A time capsule was placed within a wall at City Hall when it was initially constructed, to be opened 30 years later. In December 2022, Mayor Jerry Dyer and city council members gathered for
4005-719: The city for unincorporated areas not merged with the city proper was 66.2% White , 15.5% African Americans , 0.5% Native American , 4.0% Asian , and 2.6% from Two or more races . People of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race, made up 12.1% of the population. The city's racial make up during the 2010 census was 76.4% White , 10.2% African American , 0.5% Native American , 4.4% Asian (1.2% Vietnamese, 0.9% Laotian, 0.4% Burmese, 0.3% Asian Indian, 0.3% Thai, 0.2% Chinese, 0.2% Cambodian, 0.2% Filipino, 0.1% Hmong, 0.1% Korean, 0.1% Nepalese), 0.1% Pacific Islander , 5.0% from other races , and 3.4% from two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race, formed 12.0% of
4094-432: The city included 252 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities and 2,378 people in student housing. Of the 87,958 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18; 35.5% were married couples living together; 31.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.3% of households consisted of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
4183-407: The city was 82.3% white , 8.07% Black , 0.35% American Indian , 3.50% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander , 3.52% from other races , and 2.23% from two or more races. 6.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.9% were of German , 10.3% Irish, 9.1% "American" and 8.0% English ancestry, according to Census 2000 . There were 80,504 households, out of which 29.5% had children under
4272-522: The construction of a fort on the site where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge. Allen wanted to use the name Fort Raccoon; however, the U.S. War Department preferred Fort Des Moines. The fort was built to control the Sauk and Meskwaki peoples, whom the government had moved to the area from their traditional lands in eastern Iowa. The fort was abandoned in 1846 after the Sauk and Meskwaki were removed from
4361-470: The correct plantings of indigenous grasses and flowers, fallen logs were left in situ, a gravel pond was created to reflect the mountains and sky, and mounds of earth were used to both muffle traffic and create the sense of hills rolling to the ocean. The university describes the museum as: ..."a total work of art, expressing a convergence of the site, building, collection and the performances and ceremonies that take place there." Built in Vancouver in 1979 as
4450-424: The economic resources department and other offices. The council chamber has public seating with a capacity for 249 people. The chamber also features natural light coming in through a skylight located in the gap between the two peaks. There is a large fountain in the center of the dual stairways leading up to the main public entrance. The fountain was initially eliminated from the project due to budgetary concerns, but
4539-455: The embassy's design committee. Erickson's biographer Nicholas Olsberg described the building as "making fun of the ridiculous terms to which buildings must adhere in Washington... mocking the US and all of its imperial pretensions." In fact, Erickson had to obey his client's instructions, which were to express neighbourliness, openness and friendship, while adhering to the restrictions put in place by
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#17327823971414628-418: The entire country east of the Des Moines River. Crops were utterly destroyed, houses and fences swept away." The city started to rebuild from scratch. On September 22, 1851, Des Moines was incorporated as a city; the charter was approved by voters on October 18. In 1857, the name "Fort Des Moines" was shortened to "Des Moines", and it was designated as the second state capital, previously at Iowa City . Growth
4717-558: The firm KPMB Architects , adding wood planking as well as purple and plum seating throughout the hall in attempt to make the atmosphere warmer. The personal selection of Arthur Erickson as the architect for the Canadian Chancery in Washington, DC by then- Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was controversial, because Trudeau and Erickson were close friends and the Prime Minister overruled the objections and choices of
4806-457: The intent of the original design. For example, glass barriers have been installed near the waterfall, preventing people from getting close to it, and barriers have also been installed on the edges of planters to stop people from sitting on them. It has also since lost the outdoor restaurants, cinema, and large auditorium that once existed on the site. On the design of the roof garden, Erickson was assisted by his former student, architect Bing Thom ;
4895-503: The landscape architect on Robson Square was Cornelia Oberlander . Designed and built in the city of Toronto, Roy Thomson Hall was not designed to blend into its surroundings in order to be recognized as a landmark and home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Characteristic of Erickson's other designs with additions of water and other natural elements, this project includes a water feature of pond and rocks adjacent
4984-472: The lowest insurance premium taxes in the nation at 1%, and does not charge any premium taxes on qualified life insurance plans, making the state attractive to insurance business. Des Moines has been referred to as the "Hartford of the West" and "Insurance Capital" because of this. Principal is one of two Fortune 500 companies with headquarters in Iowa (the other being Casey's General Stores ), ranking 201st on
5073-554: The magazine's list in 2020. As a center of financial and insurance services, other major corporations headquartered outside of Iowa have a presence in the Des Moines Metro area, including Wells Fargo , Voya Financial , and Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The Meredith Corporation , a leading publishing and marketing company, was also based in Des Moines prior to its acquisition by IAC and merger with Dotdash in 2021. Meredith published Better Homes and Gardens , one of
5162-579: The metropolitan area. In recent years, Microsoft , Hewlett-Packard , and Facebook have built data-processing and logistical facilities in the Des Moines area. Des Moines is an important city in U.S. presidential politics; as the state's capital, it is the site of the first caucuses of the presidential primary cycle. Many presidential candidates set up campaign headquarters in Des Moines. A 2007 article in The New York Times said, "If you have any desire to witness presidential candidates in
5251-499: The monks". One popular interpretation of "Des Moines" concludes that it refers to a group of French Trappist monks , who in the 17th century lived in huts built on top of what is now known as the ancient Monks Mound at Cahokia , the major center of Mississippian culture , which developed in what is present-day Illinois, east of the Mississippi River and the city of St. Louis . This was some 200 miles (320 km) from
5340-413: The most close-up and intimate of settings, there is arguably no better place to go than Des Moines." Des Moines takes its name from Fort Des Moines (1843–46), which was named for the Des Moines River . This was adopted from the name given by French colonists . Des Moines ( pronounced [de mwan] ; formerly [de mwɛn] ) translates literally to either "from the monks" or "of
5429-402: The opening and unveiling of the time capsule. It included newspapers, VHS and cassette tapes, old coins, and various other memorabilia from the time, including a figurine of The California Raisins . The capsule was re-filled and marked to be opened in 2052. Arthur Erickson Arthur Charles Erickson CC FAIA FRAIC Hon FRIBA (June 14, 1924 – May 20, 2009) was
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#17327823971415518-429: The population (9.4% Mexican, 0.7% Salvadoran, 0.3% Guatemalan, 0.3% Puerto Rican, 0.1% Honduran, 0.1% Ecuadorian, 0.1% Cuban, 0.1% Spaniard, 0.1% Spanish). Non-Hispanic Whites were 70.5% of the population in 2010. Des Moines also has a sizeable South Sudanese community. There were 81,369 households, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had
5607-412: The poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those ages 65 or over. Many insurance companies are headquartered in Des Moines, including the Principal Financial Group , EMC Insurance Group, Fidelity & Guaranty Life , Allied Insurance , GuideOne Insurance , Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa, FBL Financial Group , and American Republic Insurance Company. Iowa has one of
5696-478: The racial counts and placed in their own category) was 60.99% (130,599) White alone (non-Hispanic) , 11.46% (24,538) Black alone (non-Hispanic) , 0.28% (597) Native American alone (non-Hispanic) , 6.70% (14,348) Asian alone (non-Hispanic) , 0.06% (124) Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic) , 0.38% (817) Other Race alone (non-Hispanic) , 4.50% (9,630) Multiracial or Mixed Race (non-Hispanic) , and 15.64% (33,480) Hispanic or Latino . The 2020 census population of
5785-461: The remains of the old dragoon houses... The people support two papers and there are several dry goods shops. I have been into but four of them... Society is as varied as the buildings are. There are people from nearly every state, and Dutch, Swedes, etc. In May 1851, much of the town was destroyed during the Flood of 1851 . "The Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers rose to an unprecedented height, inundating
5874-542: The scale of vice and degradation, than all their intercourse with the whites for the ten years previous". After official removal , the Meskwaki continued to return to Des Moines until around 1857. Archaeological excavations have shown that many fort-related features survived under what is now Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and First Street. Soldiers stationed at Fort Des Moines opened the first coal mines in
5963-406: The southern end. The exterior is post-modern futurist in style and consists of dull-finished stainless steel and glass panels with an angular roofline, meant to evoke the peaks of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. The building is five stories in total. The central interior space is the council chamber, but it also houses the mayor's office, the finance department, the public works department,
6052-556: The state and shifted to the Indian Territory. The Sauk and Meskwaki did not fare well in Des Moines. The illegal whiskey trade, combined with the destruction of traditional lifeways, led to severe problems for their society. One newspaper reported: "It is a fact that the location of Fort Des Moines among the Sac and Fox Indians (under its present commander) for the last two years, had corrupted them more and lowered them deeper in
6141-401: The surrounding geography in colour but not in shape. When viewed from above in plan, the campus forms a geometric contrast to the snowy mountains of its context but does not interfere with the site's spectacular views and is open to its natural surroundings. While Erickson had 900 acres on which to build, he kept the campus tight and left the rest for meadow and playing fields. The design features
6230-415: The surrounding natural environment. Erickson constantly stressed the importance of greenery and water in all of his designs—as a teacher, he impressed this upon his students by making them draw blades of grass. He insisted on bringing in a landscape architect at the outset of all of his projects and, for most of his projects, worked with the landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander . Simon Fraser University
6319-518: The traditional notion of post-and-beam construction while integrating these characteristics into a modernist building. The structure sits on a promontory facing the ocean and mountains. The landscape of the site was particularly important, as Erickson wanted to depict the connection between indigenous Pacific Northwest cultures to the land. He and Oberlander studied the landscapes of Haida Gwaii , with its totem poles standing on mounds covered with wild grasses and surrounded by forest. A seed expert provided
6408-442: The traditional post-and-beam construction to articulate the structure. Oversized beams evoke a monumental feeling in many of Erickson's projects, calling on the size and scale of the trees found in the surrounding context. It is well known for Erickson’s use of concrete piers and large stretches of glass. By using concrete beams to represent de-materialized logs and opening up the main atrium through expanses of glass, Erickson refers to
6497-616: The turn of the 20th century, encouraged by the Civic Committee of the Des Moines Women's Club , Des Moines undertook a " City Beautiful " project in which large Beaux Arts public buildings and fountains were constructed along the Des Moines River. The former Des Moines Public Library building (now the home of the World Food Prize ); the United States central Post Office , built by the federal government (now
6586-491: The winning design for Simon Fraser University . Erickson's early buildings were often modernist concrete or wooden structures designed to respond to the natural conditions of their locations, especially climate. Erickson always integrated light and water features into his designs, along with the characteristic horizontal elements and terraces that came from the vernacular architecture of the Far East. Many buildings, such as
6675-506: Was $ 33,699 (+/- $ 740). Approximately, 12.1% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% of those ages 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 203,433 people, 81,369 households, and 47,491 families residing in the city. Population density was 2,515.6 inhabitants per square mile (971.3/km ). There were 88,729 housing units at an average density of 1,097.2 per square mile (423.6/km ). The racial makeup of
6764-605: Was 2,428.4 per square mile (937.6/km ). There were 95,082 housing units at an average density of 1,078.3 per square mile (416.3/km ). The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 64.54% (138,200) white or European American (60.99% non-Hispanic white ), 11.68% (25,011) black or African-American , 0.69% (1,474) Native American or Alaska Native , 6.76% (14,474) Asian , 0.06% (135) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian , 6.62% (14,178) from other races , and 9.65% (20,661) from two or more races . The racial and ethnic makeup (where Hispanics are excluded from
6853-441: Was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.3. The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 19.9% of the population. Of the population age 25 and over, 86.7% were high school graduates or higher and 27.9% had a bachelor's degree or higher. 23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age
6942-405: Was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 38,408, and the median income for a family was $ 46,590. Males had a median income of $ 31,712 versus $ 25,832 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,467. About 7.9% of families and 11.4% of the population were below
7031-473: Was 34.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.4 males. The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $ 54,843 (with a margin of error of +/- $ 1,544) and the median family income was $ 66,420 (+/- $ 1,919). Males had a median income of $ 38,326 (+/- $ 1,405) versus $ 29,855 (+/- $ 1,327) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old
7120-565: Was about 1.7% of the city's population in 1910. By 1880, Des Moines had a population of 22,408, making it Iowa's largest city. It displaced the three Mississippi River ports: Burlington, Dubuque, and Davenport, that had alternated holding the position since the territorial period. Des Moines has remained Iowa's most populous city. In 1910, the Census Bureau reported Des Moines' population as 97.3% white and 2.7% black, reflecting its early settlement pattern primarily by ethnic Europeans. At
7209-510: Was assisted by University of Iowa archaeologists at this dig. At least three Late Prehistoric villages, dating from about AD 1300 to 1700, stood in or near what developed later as downtown Des Moines. In addition, 15 to 18 prehistoric Native American mounds were observed in the area by early settlers. All have been destroyed during development of the city. Des Moines traces its origins to May 1843, when Captain James Allen supervised
7298-643: Was built in 1991, and the 19-story EMC Insurance Building was erected in 1997. During this time period, the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines (1979) was developed; it hosts Broadway shows and special events. Also constructed were the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (1979), a large city botanical garden/greenhouse on the east side of the river; the Polk County Convention Complex (1985), and
7387-481: Was later demolished in 1961. Amid the continued growth of Fresno, a committee to study city operations space needs was formed. The committee issued a report in March 1986, calling current office conditions intolerable and urging immediate steps to build a new city hall. It took two years to secure funding and to scope the project, but the city council awarded a $ 2.7 million design contract to architect William Patnaude for
7476-505: Was met with international acclaim, with one critic writing that it "answered questions about the nature of education". The Museum of Anthropology was built in 1976, as an inclusion to the campus at the University of British Columbia . It houses artifacts and exhibits from world cultures, with an emphasis on Pacific Northwest cultures and the First Nations of British Columbia. This building blends methods of reinforced concrete and
7565-532: Was recorded in 1960), as highway construction led to new residential construction outside the city. The population was 198,682 in 2000 and grew slightly to 200,538 in 2009. The growth of the outlying suburbs has continued, and the overall metropolitan-area population is over 700,000 today. During the Great Flood of 1993 , heavy rains throughout June and early July caused the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers to rise above flood stage levels. The Des Moines Water Works
7654-654: Was slow during the Civil War period, but the city exploded in size and importance after a railroad link was completed in 1866. In 1864, the Des Moines Coal Company was organized to begin the first systematic mining in the region. Its first mine, north of town on the river's west side, was exhausted by 1873. The Black Diamond mine, near the south end of the West Seventh Street Bridge, sank a 150-foot (46 m) mine shaft to reach
7743-418: Was spearheaded by Mayor W. Parker Lyon. The building across from Hotel Fresno operated for 34 years until a new city hall, four times larger, was completed in 1941. This two-story, L-shaped building was designed by architect Ernest J. Kump and located at Fresno and M streets. The building later became known as "Old City Hall" and was placed on Fresno's Register of Historic Places. The 1907 city hall building
7832-491: Was submerged by floodwaters during the early morning hours of July 11, 1993, leaving an estimated 250,000 people without running water for 12 days and without drinking water for 20 days. Des Moines suffered major flooding again in June 2008 with a major levee breach. The Des Moines River is controlled upstream by Saylorville Reservoir . In both 1993 and 2008, the flooding river overtopped the reservoir spillway. Today, Des Moines
7921-633: Was to go into the Diplomatic corps ; he changed his mind when he saw the work of Frank Lloyd Wright . He studied at the University of British Columbia , followed by the McGill University School of Architecture . After graduating from McGill in 1950, Erickson was granted a travel scholarship and traveled around the Mediterranean, studying climate and style in their relationship to architecture. He spent ten years teaching at
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