Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

New Vision for Visitor Center: 2028 Completion Date Set

The long-awaited transformation of the local office and visitor center is officially gaining momentum. Officials confirmed this week that the project is moving forward with two primary design plans currently under consideration.

While the blueprints are still being refined, the project timeline has now been clarified—though the final date may be further off than some residents expected.

The Roadmap to 2028

The project is following a structured multi-year rollout to accommodate the scale of the renovation. Key milestones include:

• Design Finalization (Spring 2026): Officials expect to select a final design and prepare the full project "package" by March or April 2026.

• Bidding Process (Fall 2026): Due to government contracting deadlines for large-scale projects, the bid will officially open to contractors in the fall of 2026.

• Groundbreaking (Spring 2027): Once a construction company is selected and the bid window closes, work is slated to begin in early 2027.

• Grand Opening (Late 2028): Construction is estimated to span roughly 18 months, with a final completion date targeted for the end of 2028.

Public Engagement and Next Steps

Recognizing that a 2028 completion date might come as a surprise to the community, project leaders are committed to transparency. Once the final design is locked in next year, the center plans to host a series of **open houses**. These events will allow the public to view renderings and get a first-hand look at how the facility will serve the community in the future.

 "In the next Friends newsletter, I may be able to include a rendition of what the building will look like," noted Scott Gilje, Refuge Manager, hinting that the first visual updates are just around the corner.