Linn County to support Cedar Rapids amphitheater

Linn County will contribute $435,000 in property and cash toward Cedar Rapids' planned riverfr0nt amphitheater, county supervisors decided this morning.

On a 4-1 vote, supevisors approved a proposal to contribute the county-owned 1.5-acre lot at 41 Seventh Ave. SW and $10,000 cash toward the project. The county's participation is a required element for the city's application for a $3.75 million state tourism grant for the project. The city has also budget $2 million for the work.

Darrin Gage, the county's director policy and administration, said the lot was valued at $425,000 in a recent appraisal. The county owns another 2.3 acres adjoining the amphitheater site on the Cedar River's west bank, often known as the “Mott property” for the 110-year-old three-story brick building there that formerly housed a manufacturing plant.

The cash contribution from the county's economic development fund may be made over two years.

The supervisors instructed Gage to include a provision in the county's resolution authorizing the contribution urging the city not to construct any flood-control structures on the Mott lot.

Casting the sole dissenting vote, Supervisor Brent Oleson questioned the project's usefulness and the city's priorities in pursuing it ahead of other flood-recovery needs. He said it could contribute to “flood fatigue” among lawmakers when the city and county seek state aid for other projects.

“We're going to build an amphitheater for several million dollars, and then we're going to go, hat in hand, to the Legislature for other things,” Oleson said.

“It seems like it's going to be sandwiched into a place that's available” instead of a better site, Oleson said, noting its planned 3,000 to 5,000-seat capacity won't attract national touring acts..

Other supervisors said the project will be part of the west side's flood-protection plan and will host municipal band concerts and other regional events.

“There is a good deal of support for this project, which incorporates a levee into its design,” Linda Langston said.

“This is a very creative way to accomodate a levee system into the riverbank,” said Lu Barron. “It's something I think is more functional for the city of Cedar Rapids, and will probably be used more.”

The supervisors also heard a report from Peter Jaynes, chairman of the Linn County Historic Preservation Commission, on an effort to coordinate the commission's work with the conservation board. The two will cooperate on a multi-year effort to preserve historic properties in the county, with the first to be a National Register of Historic Places application for Abbe Creek School, two miles west of Mount Vernon on County Road E48.