Historic CSPS/Legion Arts at threshold of change

By Diana Nollen

Almost everything old will be new again when CSPS reopens its doors midwinter at 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids.

After Dan Bern rattles the rafters Sunday evening (5/23/10), the 120-year-old former Czech social hall and adjoining firehouse will close for renovations.

The final piece of financing for the $6.4 million project fell into place last week, with a $250,000 challenge grant from the Hall-Perrine Foundation. That joins funding from a $4.8 million I-JOBS grant, $1.2 million in state historic tax credits and an $80,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

“It's taken us a while to line up the financing to purchase the building and line up the loans,” says F. John Herbert, 58, of Cedar Rapids. He's executive director of the non-profit Legion Arts, which has rented the historic hall for 15 years and now will buy the building. He and his partner, producing director Mel Andringa, 66, and their legion of volunteers have been bringing cutting-edge art to the local scene through concerts, art exhibits, theater, performance art, workshops and advocacy.

They have presented the cream of the crop on area stages. Household names like Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, Richie Havens, Janis Ian, Maria Muldaur, Odetta, Second City comedy troupe, Duncan Sheik and artwork by Yoko Ono. Hundreds of other intriguing artists and musicians have come from nearly every corner of the globe, from Tuvan throat singers and Irish bands to Slovakia's Divadlo z Pasaze, in which people with disabilities step into the theatrical spotlight.

 “We're very pleased we can upgrade the space ... to provide a better equipped space for artists and more comfortable space for audiences,” Herbert says. “Most exciting is the potential in developing the ground floor to support local artists, providing space for them to do their work and for small organizations to have offices for the range of services they provide artists.”

One prized addition is an elevator. The first thing guests see when they enter the building is a sweeping, fairly steep staircase to the second-floor galleries and stage.

“Lack of an elevator has been a perpetual problem not only for audience members, but a lot of artists moving instruments in and out are not real happy when they encounter our huge staircase,” Herbert says. “Having an elevator and increased accessibility will be a real benefit. Our chairlift gets used two or three times a week, so it's been a help, but we're looking forward to a more efficient solution.”

Also on the list are updated electrical systems, air conditioning, new bathrooms, increased parking and subtle exterior changes. Solum Lang Architects in Cedar Rapids is leading the design work, with Ryan Companies as contractor.

“(Brad Lang's) mother was a secretary at Service Press on the ground floor, and he was chairman of the board for Legion Arts,” Herbert says. “He has a real passion for preserving it. I think he's going to do a great job.”

Herbert and Andringa have been living in the adjacent firehouse, after being doubly displaced by the 2008 floods. Not only was CSPS swamped by the murky waters, but so was the former Osada apartments, where they had been living. They'll be moving again after the firehouse is renovated to house visiting artists.

All the new amenities and heating and cooling upgrades puts Legion Arts on the threshold of expansion. Not only will they be able to offer entertainment year-round instead of closing for the summer, but they will need to expand their staff, as well.

“It's a great opportunity for the organization to grow,” Herbert says. “We don't see it so much as an expansion, but as an opportunity to do the things we've been doing the past 15 years at a slightly higher level and better than in the past. A significant challenge is the need to manage the growth in a way that's really smart, thoughtful and takes into account the resources we have and the resources we'll need in the next few years. ...

“It's all happening at once. It's a time of extensive and pretty exciting change. All the pieces are functioning well at the moment.”