Greene Square project gets go-ahead from Cedar Rapids council

CEDAR RAPIDS - Greene Square Park's transformation into Greene Square got the green light on Tuesday from the City Council.

The council unanimously approved the proposed new design for the block-square downtown park and gave the go-ahead to the city's Parks and Recreation Department and consultant OPN Architects Inc. to prepare the $1.95 million renovation project for bids.

Construction is slated to begin in the spring and be completed next summer.

The OPN design for the park has evolved after input from the public this year and from stakeholders around the park.

Bradd Brown, a principal with OPN Architects, said more than 650 people provided thoughts on the park's design.

The design, which was approved by the council's Development Committee last month, features a wide corridor of lawn with sidewalks on both sides that connects the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art on one side of the park to the Cedar Rapids Public Library on the other side opposite the museum.

The new design includes a water feature and plaza in the park's center.

The plans also call for a name change: Greene Square Park will be known as Greene Square.

OPN's Brown said the renovation's intent is to create a 'vibrant community gathering space” that can be used day and evening and in every season.

Council member Monica Vernon, chairwoman of the council's Development Committee, has said the new design achieves 'our dream” to connect the park's bookends, the museum and the library.

The city is contributing $650,000 to the project and the Hall-Perrine Foundation, $250,000. To date, private companies have donated about $550,000, and Linn County has said it will contribute up to $250,000 for a sculpture.