TCR Closer to getting $1.5 million grant

IOWA CITY - The Vision Iowa Board voted Wednesday to move a proposal for an expansion and renovation of the flood-damaged Iowa Theatre Building into negotiations for a potential award.

Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Community Theatre Building Corp. are seeking a $1.5 million grant from the state's Community Attraction and Tourism program.

The more than $7 million proposal represents a major expansion for the downtown theater.

Managing Director Casey Prince said prior to the 2008 flood, they had plans for the renovation. Many times, they did not have enough space for rehearsals and classes. Prince recalls holding auditions in the concession area when the building was overbooked.

"A lot of patron amenities were outdated, and we had limited options in comparison to our needs, as far as programming space," Prince said.

Flooding forced theater officials to update HVAC and electrical systems and rethink their renovation plans.

"Those two things alone completely and dramatically changed the scope of the project, but there were some new opportunities and new ways of looking at the building after we did some flood clean-up," Prince said.

Plans call for an expanded lobby that will nearly double in size. A new digital marquee will greet visitors and highlight theater events.

Two storefront spaces along First Avenue will be used for a lounge area. A second-floor space that previously housed small offices will be turned into open office space and rehearsal space, a music room and restrooms.

The basement will house new dressing rooms, make-up room, costume construction, microphone storage and rehearsal space.

With assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a possible CAT grant, Prince said they will only be a few months off the project timetable they set before the floods.

Prince said they are hoping to begin work soon to complete in time for an opening of "The Producers" in February.

-- In other action Wednesday, the Vision Iowa Board moved a proposal for a new public library in Williamsburg into new negotiations for possible award.

Plans are to build a new $4 million library on the northwest corner of the downtown square on land purchased by the city.

The city is requesting a $630,000 CAT grant for the project. Plans call for the library to have room for traveling exhibits.