Vision Iowa board awards $1.5 million for Cedar Rapids theater renovation

FORT DODGE - The Vision Iowa Board voted Wednesday to award $1.5 million to renovate the Iowa Theatre Building in downtown Cedar Rapids, which was damaged by floods that swamped the city last year.

Project backers hope the theater renovation helps revive the city's core and bring people back to downtown.

Vision Iowa Board Chairwoman Regenia Bailey said the board is pleased to be a part of Cedar Rapids' recovery and believes the project will help leverage reinvestment in the city's downtown.

"I think this is a linchpin for Cedar Rapids' recovery," Bailey said. "Theatre Cedar Rapids comes back downtown -- the restaurants will be motivated to come back."

The $7.8 million project by Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Community Theatre Building Corp. represents a major expansion and renovation.

Outside the theater, visitors will see a new digital marquee. Inside, they will see a lobby that doubled in size. Larger restrooms, an open staff office and rehearsal space also are part of the project. The theater's basement will house new dressing rooms, a make-up room, costume construction plus storage and rehearsal space.

Pat Deignan, board chairman of Theatre Cedar Rapids, said they want the project to be a catalyst for downtown recovery.

"There's a lot of projects trying to come back," Deignan said. "We got a head start; I think a lot of people are looking to us."

Once the theater re-opens, they'll be bringing thousands of people back to downtown Cedar Rapids, Deignan said.

"We will be really important to shops and restaurants, to the bars and taverns, so we're excited," Deignan said.

Officials are still in the process of finalizing about $3.8 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and hope to get started in earnest at the end of the summer or beginning of fall.

The theater's managing director, Casey Prince, said they are hopeful they can complete the renovations in February or March in time for "The Producers." A production of "Rent" is planned for next summer.

"We've had to take a year off, so we're excited to get them back in there with some big shows," Prince said.

The project also includes the creation of a $1 million endowment to support the theater.