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SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER
This is an architect's rendering of the proposed project.

A Des Moines land management company wants to include The Environmental Project's indoor rainforest and other attractions in a residential, recreational and retail development at Red Rock Lake near Pella.

Mark Bockenstedt and Kevin Conway announced the plans today on behalf of DML Land Management. The firm also wants to establish a National Center for Science Literacy.

The Environmental Project is a proposed indoor rainforest, educational center, aquarium and prairie project once eyed for Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and, most recently Coralville. The project is considering new sites after talks with Coralville slowed.

Other proposed sites for the rainforest project have included Tiffin, Riverside, Dubuque, Grinnell and Des Moines, where business leaders have been cool to the idea.

Conway said the development, which is named The Point at Red Rock, will proceed regardless of whether the Pella site is selected as the future home of the Environmental Project.