Associated Press - November 12, 2009 2:44 PM ET

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - The Czech & Slovak Museum & Library will be moving from the banks of the Cedar River to an area in Cedar Rapids that is less vulnerable to flooding.

Eight feet of floodwater inundated the museum last year, destroying a number of artifacts. Although built above the flood plain, insurance costs made it difficult to keep the existing museum on the river.

According to Museum president Gail Naughton, moving the 18,000-square-foot wood-frame building with brick veneer will be done in one piece, likely next fall. The exact location hasn't been decided.

Naughton said Thursday the structure will be incorporated into a new 60,000-square-foot exhibition center and library that will be built by 2012.

Museum officials say the estimated cost of the new building is $20 million. Moving the current museum will cost about $740,000.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

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