Tom and Ruth Harkin Center at Drake University holds dedication ceremony after pandemic delays

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement held a dedication ceremony Saturday to celebrate the opening of its $8.9 million building on the Drake University campus.

Though construction was completed on the Des Moines building in 2020, the building's dedication had been postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new two-story, 16,000-square-foot building near the southwest corner of 28th Street and University Avenue was funded through private donations.

"This building, the Harkin Center, is another step in the journey to advance the impact of the Harkin Institute and the legacy of Senator and Mrs. Harkin," Harkin Institute National Advisory Council chair Marsha Ternus said. "The new building provides expanded space for institute staff and fellows to work on important research and policy projects, and additional rooms for meetings and collaboration with the institute's many partners locally and across the nation."

The Harkin Institute was established at Drake University in 2013 to conduct public policy research and analysis of issues important to retired U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, including labor and employment, help for people with disabilities, retirement security and nutrition. It also focuses on education and outreach surrounding these issues among students and the public.

"I now believe that this institute was founded at the right time, and in the right place here at Drake University, not just as a repository of history, but now as an active participant in saving and progressively moving forward our representative democracy," Harkin said at the ceremony.

The Harkin Institute has grown considerably in staff and programming over the past nine years, outgrowing its former university-owned space at 2429 University Ave.

"The Harkins made it clear, especially Ruth, their priority was to accomplish meaningful work and a building could come later," Ternus said. "That focus and their passion has driven us every step of the way. And I'm proud of the progress the Harkin Institute has made over the past nine years."

Building designed to be accessible to all

Harkin, lifelong disability rights advocate, was the lead sponsor of 1990's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the new Tom and Ruth Harkin Center was designed with accessibility in mind.

"The very design of this building does send a message in real time about nondiscrimination, openness and accessibility to all," Harkin said.

The building features ramps that are wider than required by the ADA and serve as the primary route between spaces, rather than an alternative option. Contrasting colors on walls, signage and furniture were chosen to aid people with spatial awareness difficulties.

Conference rooms are designed to allow those in wheelchairs or others who have mobility concerns to maneuver. Tables and chairs are arranged in circular configurations so people can better see each other’s faces to improve communication.

"When we were challenged by the (building) committee to create a facility that would really try to transform and demonstrate what it really means to be inclusive, we took that seriously," said Kevin Nordmeyer, lead architect of the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center.

Nordmeyer and his team wanted to document the inclusivity and accessibility of the space. They created a flipbook, explaining the guiding principles behind the building's design and the process of building the center, which will be available soon in print and on the Harkin Institute website.

"We're really proud of this building, and hopefully it will serve as a model long-term," Nordmeyer said. "The challenge that was before us, that Sen. Harkin said at our very first meeting out in Washington D.C., he said, 'Just consider the ADA as the baseline, and really try to strive to do better long-term.' And so that's what we've done."

The building was designed to be an "international model of universal and inclusive design," according to Ternus, with the goal that other organizations will use the flipbook to design future buildings with accessibility at their core.

"It'll be accessible to anybody to learn from this building long term, and we hope to use this then as a springboard," Nordmeyer said. "This building represents a moment in time in terms of thought and inclusivity. But what we hope to do is continue to work with the Harkin Institute and Drake and others to continue to elevate these principles of gracious, inclusive design."

Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dedication held for Tom and Ruth Harkin Center at Drake University