Construction on the museum's first-ever expansion is expected to begin in the spring with the building of a new 450-space underground parking garage on the north side. The building expansion is expected to be completed in 2005. The museum will be expanded by more than 60%, from 234,000 sfto move than 376,000 sf. The expansion will mean 142,500 sf of galleries and public facilities including an art library and cafe. The museum's permanent collection area will be more than doubled.

"This will be an extraordinary addition, realized through the generosity of an extraordinary community,'' says Henry W. Bloch, a Nelson-Atkins trustee and chairman of the museum's building committee. "The new building is the tool that will allow us to generate even more programs and reach an expanded audience for this great museum." The Nelson-Atkins capital campaign also announced that it has raised $195 million, exceeding the goal of $175 million. Joining Holl and his partner-in-charge Chris McVoy on the expansion are three Kansas City firms: Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. and Lacy & Co., the program manager. Holl has received the New York AIA Project Award and the Progressive Architecture Award for his design on the Nelson-Atkins expansion.