Theatre Cedar Rapids Announces Plans for Return of Iowa Theatre Building
Eight months after floodwaters did millions of dollars in damage to the Iowa Theater Building, Theatre Cedar Rapids has unveiled plans for how and when the historic structure will return.
In addition to repairing flood damage, the project will give the Iowa a massive facelift, creating more space for its patrons, adding modern facilities and making the theatre lobby visible to traffic on 1st Ave. for the first time in the building's 81-year history.
Theatre Cedar Rapids officials anticipate that work will begin this spring, and plan to be back in the Iowa Theater Building with the musical The Producers in February 2010.
"I think we're going to come back as one of the strongest organizations in downtown," said TCR Board President Pat Deignan of Bankers Trust. "Investment in this theatre is really an investment in the next 75 years of Cedar Rapids."
Located at 102 Third St. SE in the heart of downtown, originally the Iowa Theater Building had served as a movie theatre. Last renovated in 1983, it is currently home to Theatre Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks, as well as touring companies and corporate events. The 500-seat auditorium provides a key piece of the city's venue portfolio.
However, the building's age had already created difficulties before the flood. Many of the building's plumbing and heating systems were still original, and were in poor condition even before they were decimated by the floodwaters. The theatre also struggled with small lobby and restroom space, which created serious traffic problems when shows had full houses. "The 'Next Act' Capital Campaign originally included a $2.5 million building improvement plan," said Deignan. "Due to the flood, this has now become a $6 million building rebuild and improvement plan."
According to Deignan, Theatre Cedar Rapids is eligible for FEMA and state funding for 100 percent of the costs of bringing the building back to pre-flood conditions as well as required code upgrades due to the flooding. From there, money raised by the theatre for its Capital Campaign will pay for additional improvements and renovations.
"Through the work of our key contractors – OPN Architects, Ryan Companies, Modern Piping and Paulsen Electric – we have submitted detailed costs to FEMA, and are in the process of being approved for funding," Deignan said. "Through the combination of FEMA funding and our existing $3 million of pledges toward the 'Next Act' Capital Campaign, we will be able to fund the entire clean-up and rebuild/renovation of the Iowa Theater Building."
Among the elements of the new Iowa Theater Building design:
More than 30 additional seats for audiences.
A wider, more modern lobby that accommodates more patrons, shows photos and updates on TV monitors and restores original architecture from the building's construction in 1928.
A lounge that extends out to the windows along 1st Avenue.
Larger and more accessible restrooms.
Renovated dressing rooms, additional classroom space and better facilities for volunteers.
Relocating new electrical and HVAC systems to higher levels as a protective measure against flooding.
In addition to the renovation and expansion, an original goal for TCR's Capital Campaign was a $700,000 endowment to provide perpetual income to help with operations, as well as funding for children's and adult educational programs as well as increased classes and workshops for teens and others.
"We are extremely pleased to announce that due to the generosity of the late Audrey Linge-Ovel and her family, the endowment has been seeded and has received pledges and cash of $100,000 from her estate and funeral memorials," said Deignan. "In these difficult times, it is especially gratifying to be able to maintain one of the key goals of The Next Act campaign, which was to establish an endowment for the long-term future of Theatre Cedar Rapids."
Another key component of the latest fundraising efforts is an additional $750,000 1-for-1 matching grant received from the Hall-Perrine Foundation for renovations.
"That's a significant endorsement of TCR's importance to our community," said Tom Aller, President, Interstate Power and Light Company, Alliant Energy Company.
Officials are calling on the community to help fund this last piece of the Campaign, which they estimate has already raised 90 percent of the funds necessary for the entire project.
"If you have not already assisted with a gift toward 'The Next Act,' your gift now would assist in meeting this match and would go directly toward building rebuild/renovations," Deignan said. "Meeting this match will ensure we have sufficient funds to complete all the planned upgrades to the building, and make it possible to consider moving more of our existing donations to further seed the endowment."
The value of arts in the community was recently illustrated by the Americans for the Arts study, which found that more than $63 million is generated by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations like TCR each year in the Corridor. With more than $31 million in spending by local organizations, local nonprofit arts organizations support 1,986 full-time jobs; generate almost $34 million in household income to local residents; and deliver more than $6 million in local and state government revenue. TCR is an anchor in these results.
TCR brings more than 30,000 people downtown each year, playing a vital role in the rebirth and rediscovery of downtown Cedar Rapids. Improvements to the Iowa Theater Building could create a drastic increase in that number, said Casey Prince, TCR Managing Director.
"I can tell you there is more enthusiasm and excitement about the future of live theatre among the board, our volunteers, actors and patrons than we have sensed for several years," Prince said. "This initiative will create perpetual support for our storied organization, improve an historic and unique downtown community structure, more efficiently use existing space for educational programming and ensure that this venue remains a source of local pride as well as a home for Theatre Cedar Rapids."
Contact: Rob Merritt
Community Relations Director, Theatre Cedar Rapids
319-366-8592, rob at theatrecr.org
