Construction set to begin on Cedar Rapids convention complex

Crews will break ground on Cedar Rapids' new convention complex Tuesday. Many structures have come down to make way for it.

At 11:30 a.m., city officials and many others will gather at First Avenue and Third Street in downtown Cedar Rapids to officially kick off construction of the $75 million convention complex.

It's a celebration that marks the beginning of the construction phase, which officially starts in October.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department Honor Guard and the Jefferson High School Band of Blue will take part in the groundbreaking ceremony.

The city is also welcoming U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez.

A $35 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce is among the major funding sources for the project.

Mayor Ron Corbett said crews will begin pouring the foundation in just weeks.

"Then people will start to see the steel structure go up," Corbett said. "We'll hopefully get a lot of that done before winter sets in, because you like to have it enclosed as much as you can so you can do a lot of work in the winter months."

The city's new complex will feature a new convention center, a renovated events arena and a renovated hotel, all within a two block area downtown.

Eventually, the complex will also be the home to Cedar Rapids' first professional football team. The Cedar Rapids Titans will soon play there. They're set to be a part of the Indoor Football League.

The Titans plan to open their inaugural season at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena next spring before moving into the complex.

A news conference with more details is scheduled after the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday at 12:45 p.m.

Construction on the convention complex is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2013.