Operations continue as normal at Paramount Theatre, despite ‘emergency’ repairs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Operations at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids will continue as normal, despite “emergency repairs" currently underway at the historic building.

The city-owned entertainment venue has structural issues from water damage on its southwest side, and the city’s facilities maintenance team says a temporary three-beamed support structure has been installed “out of an abundance of caution” while repairs continue.

“Despite ongoing repairs, the Paramount Theatre has been deemed structurally stable, with no need to close the venue” in the meantime, the city-issued statement says. “All scheduled events are proceeding as planned.”

Repair costs are estimated at $132,320, according to City Council documents. The city will pay for the repair work using funds received from the theater’s contracted management company, VenuWorks. The city did not release a project timeline.

The theater, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, first opened in 1928 and underwent its last major updates after it was heavily damaged in the 2008 flood. It now hosts a variety of live entertainment for downtown visitors.

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