Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center

Architectural rendering of the new Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center

Visitor and Research Center Floor Plan

Visitor and Research Center Elevation

For 12 years, the Mesa Verde Foundation's raison d'etre has been to facilitate a long held dream for Mesa Verde: constructing a new Visitor and Research Center near the park's entrance.

Groundbreaking for the Center is planned for 2010, with the facility scheduled to open in late 2011 or early 2012. (See project chronology below.)

The Visitor and Research Center will welcome visitors, educate them about Mesa Verde and help them prepare for their visit. It includes two components to address shortcomings of existing facilities:

An appropriately located visitor center designed to accommodate present and future visitor volume.
A state-of-the-art facility for Mesa Verde's priceless archeological collection.

The design and planning of the building has included extensive consultation with and input from the 24 Native American Tribes affiliated with Mesa Verde. A sustainable design has been created, with anticipated Platinum LEEDS certification. (LEEDS - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Standards, as developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.)

Once built, the new Visitor and Research Center will create the opportunity for a Tribal Cultures Center — a creative renovation of historic Far View Visitor Center.

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
Project Chronology of Events:

1999:	Mesa Verde Foundation purchases land for the building near the park's entrance with funds raised from a consortium of private donors.
2007:	The Foundation lobbies Congress to expand the park to include Foundation land, resulting in passage of Mesa Verde Expansion Act.
2008:	Conceptual design and planning completed.
2009:	Project Funding Secured. October 20: Mesa Verde Foundation donates 38-acre building site to National Park Service. November 2: AJC Architects (Salt Lake City, Utah) complete project planning and design (Platinum LEED Level).
2010:	Mesa Verde Foundation leads interagency team procuring sculpture for Visitor Center and planned sculpture garden. Spring: Project groundbreaking planned.
2011-2012:	Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center opening scheduled.