2005
The Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Museum of Art votes on March 7 to begin Phase I of the expansion and renovation project.
In spring deinstallation of the collection begins, with a number of galleries in the 1958 building converted to serve as temporary storage areas. The renovation of the museum's original building and the addition designed by Marcel Breuer commences, and the excavation of the site of the new east wing is begun.
Construction begins in June on a new central utility plant on the site of a former staff parking area. The new plant consolidates the utility supply for all the existing buildings as well as the new additions designed by Rafael Viñoly.
A groundbreaking ceremony on October 1 officially launches the east wing construction project.
A number of galleries in the 1958 and Breuer buildings are reconfigured to allow the museum to continue to present special exhibitions for the remainder of the year.