Council votes to hire Frew to manage new events center

The City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday night to enter into a contract with Gov. Chet Culver's former chief of staff John Frew and his firm to manage the $67 million project to build a new downtown convention facility.

"By hiring this high quality management firm, we will be proactively showing the Economic Development Authority that Cedar Rapids is poised to build an event center that will drive economic development in eastern Iowa," said Mayor Ron Corbett. "We believe this improves our chances of securing an EDA grant for this project."

Both Kris Gulick and Tom Podzimek voted no. Gulick said he needed to have other firms to compare with Frew.

Chuck Wieneke said he thinks the city should have been more aware of the hiring process.

The EDA must review and approve the contract. According to City Attorney Jim Flitz, if it is not approved and the EDA does not provide a $35 million grant, the contract is void.