Skywalks Begin to Link Downtown Cedar Rapids

A view of Third Avenue in Cedar Rapids, looking southwest, on November 21, 1984. This foreground perspective is from a skywalk at the intersection of Third Avenue and Third Street SE. The structure, connecting the Arco Building and Armstrong's Department Store, was put in place on May 14, 1980. A city plan to link the Five Seasons Center Parkade to most of the downtown area and the Third Avenue Parkade to create a mall-like setting, began in the late 1970s. A public grand opening for the first phase of the skywalk system was held on October 13, 1980. Seen at left in this picture is the Hotel Montrose. The skywalk in the background was nearing completion at Second Street when this photograph was taken, and opened a few days later. Armstrong's Department Store at right was already decked out with Christmas decorations on this day before Thanksgiving.