World Food Prize to take possession of former Des Moines public library building

      Transformation into Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates to begin in October

Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, signs the lease agreement on the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates, as Ruan Transport Corporation Deputy General Counsel Susan Fitzsimmons, World Food Prize Chairman John Ruan III, and World Food Prize Director of Development Mashal Husain look on.

September 1, 2009 - - The World Food Prize Foundation and the City of Des Moines have begun the process of transferring ownership of the former Des Moines Public Library building. The transfer is scheduled to be completed in October, at which time construction will begin on converting the century-old building into the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates.

The agreement, when finalized, will give the World Food Prize Foundation a 50-year lease with the right to renew for an additional 50 years.

"By committing to a 100 year lease, the World Food Prize will ensure that this magnificent building, which got its start in the late 19th century, will still be inspiring visitors well into the 22nd century," said Ambassador Quinn.

To mark the occasion of finalizing the lease, the World Food Prize plans to hold a private reception at the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates on Wednesday, October 14, as part of the week of activities surrounding the presentation of the 2009 World Food Prize.

The World Food Prize has now raised over $24 million of the necessary $29.8 million to complete the project. Upon completion, the Hall of Laureates will serve as a museum to recognize great achievements in agriculture and as an educational facility featuring interactive displays on hunger and global food security. It will host the annual Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, a new national Youth Institute program, and conference and community events for other local groups and organizations.  Conceptual sketches can be found here.

The Hall of Laureates is named in honor of Iowa native Norman Borlaug, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in saving the lives of upwards of one billion people as the “Father of the Green Revolution.” The Hall will honor Dr. Borlaug, along with the World Food Prize Laureates and Iowa’s agricultural and humanitarian pioneers, for their significant contributions to the global fight against hunger.

More Hall of Laureates news:

World Food Prize Foundation signs 100-year lease on former library building (November 16, 2009)
$29.8 million Hall of Laureates dedicated in honor of Norman Borlaug (October 19, 2009)
World Food Prize to take possession of former Des Moines Public Library building (September 1, 2009)
Vision Iowa Board grants $2 million to Hall of Laureates (June 16, 2009)
Hall of Laureates receives $100,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows (March 16, 2009)
World Food Prize receives $500,000 pledge from Dahl Trust for Hall of Laureates (February 9, 2009)
Hall of Laureates receives Greater Des Moines Community Foundation's largest grant ever (June 9, 2008)
World Food Prize receives $5 million pledge from Monsanto to honor Norman Borlaug (February 15, 2008)
DuPont pledges $1 million to World Food Prize (February 7, 2008)