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University of Iowa team shows memorial design to preserve Bethlehem A.M. history; estimate just north of $180,000
Summary
A University of Iowa student team presented a commemorative site design for the deteriorating Bethlehem A.M. church that preserves stained-glass windows, re-creates stair columns, and adds freestanding walls marking the footprint; the team's cost estimate was "just north of $180,000."
A student team from the University of Iowa’s civil and environmental engineering program presented a commemorative redesign for Bethlehem A.M. (African Methodist Episcopal) church aimed at preserving the site's history after the structure is demolished.
Samuel Viss, the project manager, outlined a three-part design that preserves and supports original stained-glass windows, reconstructs the limestone stair columns as a lookout landing with ADA access, and installs three freestanding 8-foot walls at the rear of the site to act as a memorial canvas. The team emphasized leaving space for future community-driven plaques, murals and interpretive elements.
On cost, the team presented an order-of-magnitude estimate of "just north of $180,000." They said the design would allow salvaging key architectural elements (stained glass and stair features) and recommended collaboration with historians and local stakeholders on memorial content.
Council members and local history advocates praised the design; the Gateway History Club is now owner of the property and staff indicated fundraising and local contractor engagement are the immediate next steps. No binding funding commitment was made; the student team and local partners will pursue fundraising and refinement of the design.
