Site Selection, With Purpose

To meet the aspirations for our new home, the Stanley Center and Neumann Monson Architects considered a variety of pathways: making significant renovations to the leased space we have occupied since 1998, building a new home from the ground-up, or renovating an existing structure. Of all options, one thing was clear from the beginning: we take significant pride in our community, its connection to our legacy, and the outside-the-beltway perspective it affords. And so whatever path we chose, we would remain headquartered in our small town on the banks of the Mississippi.

Center leadership explored 16+ potential sites in an around Muscatine…everything from vacant lots to an unused church to a dormant button factory. Reflecting on our priorities—including the potential for sustainability, access to daylight and nature, proximity to downtown, size, cost, and the opportunity to be of service to our community—the ideal site was clear: the former Musser Public Library at 304 Iowa Avenue.

In 2018, the Musser Library relocated from its home for more than 100 years to a beautiful, new, state-of-the-art facility just a few blocks away. Sitting empty and unused, few developers expressed interest in the building and the City of Muscatine was pleased by our offer to rehabilitate the space while preserving the building’s historical connection to education and learning.

On October 21, 2020, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security officially closed ownership on our future home.