There are still 14 months of construction and fundraising ahead, but the crowd cheered as a giant crane placed a beam on the exoskeleton of the the Crocker Art Museum's new 125,000-square-foot building.
It was, of course, no ordinary beam.
Signed by hundreds of city officials, construction workers and museum members and donors, the placement of the long white piece of heavy steel marks the completion of the building's frame and signals that the project is on track for its scheduled 2010 finish.
"This is a milestone," said museum director Lial Jones. "The superstructure is up, and I'm very excited."
There's still a long road ahead, however. Before completion, the Crocker needs to raise at least $10 million to reach its $100 million goal. The Crocker has raised $90 million from four public entities and 260 individuals and foundations.
Today's ceremony, Jones said, also marks the launching of a new citywide campaign to solicit donations big and small.
"This is a civic building, and we want as much civic participation as possible -- this is everyone's museum," Jones said.
The addition triples Crocker's existing space. The building will house a cafe and auditorium, make space for bigger exhibitions and give the museum the opportunity to display up to 20 percent of its permanent collection -- up from the current 4 percent.
Judy Payne is ready to do her part. The Rancho Murieta resident braved rain to come out and add her name to the beam -- as well as the names of her children.
Payne said she is not sure how much she'll donate but is happy to become a part of the city's future.
"This is a step that says Sacramento is here on the map," Payne said.
"This is the last big key to (Sacramento) becoming a major city."
For Roger Berry, the simple beam represented the near-culmination of a dream. Berry, former president of the Crocker Art Museum Association, helped direct the museum's ongoing expansion plans until he left the museum in 2003.
"This has exceeded my vision," he said. "For Sacramento, this means (the Crocker) is finally being recognized as a treasure."
The museum remains open during construction and currently is hosting "The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons" through Jan. 18.
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Call The Bee's Rachel Leibrock, (916) 321-1176
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