Plans unveiled for new Riverside Roundhouse in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Plans were unveiled Wednesday for a new development in Czech Village that fundraisers hope brings a piece of the past back to the future.

Renderings of a restored $1.5 million Riverside Roundhouse were revealed to the public during a forum at Lion Bridge Brewing Co. by the Friends of Czech Village, a nonprofit group dedicated to the restoration of the historic structure.

Built in 1963, the Riverside Roundhouse sat near the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and served as a neighborhood center for events throughout the decades. It was damaged during the flood of 2008, and later deconstructed as a result.

Organizers hope to begin construction by spring 2019. The project will serve as the 'focal point” of the city's proposed Greenway Parks development called Czech Village Park, a 39.7-acre area near 17th Avenue SW and the former B Street SW.

The intent of the project is to spur further development in the neighborhood by increasing traffic for vendors along 16th Street SW, said Michelle Bell, president of Friends of Czech Village, a group formed to see the roundhouse rebuilt.

'It's for the economic development and the restoration after the flood down here. It's the last piece missing from Czech Village,” she said.

The opening is tentatively set for June 2019. Friends of Czech Village also plan to hold a ceremonial groundbreaking of the site on the 10th anniversary of the flood in June 2018.

Dimensions for the new structure are nearly identical to the original, but add a public restroom and kitchen. The facility is to be weatherproofed so it can host year-round events said Alex Andersen, vice president of Friends of Czech Village.

Andersen said the organization intends to use the support structure from the original Roundhouse, which was saved after the flood.

'It truly is not cheaper to redo it,” Bell added. 'It's the heart, and it was the historical piece that was saved, so that's important.”

Once construction is complete, the organization plans to pass ownership to the city's Parks and Recreation Department, which will maintain and operate the facility, Bell said.

Wednesday's public forum marked the kickoff in the organization's capital campaign to fundraise for the project, which the group intends to be in full swing by June.

Bell said the $1.5 million is to be raised through private donations, not taxpayer dollars.

A concern raised during the forum, attended by more than a dozen people, focused on whether the Roundhouse should be used for farmers markets - a feature for which many said the space was once known.

'You could get all kinds of wonderful food down there,” said Betty Rogers, 72, of Marion. 'I would really love to see that come back. I just think it would be a great experience for Cedar Rapids.”

Although there will be an emphasis on farmers markets, Bell said organizers hope to encourage other events so the space is busy through all four seasons.

'The newly rebuilt Riverside Roundhouse will be a high quality facility for markets, recreational activities, weddings, parties and more,” according to the Friends of Czech Village website.

Attendees also were in favor of the space as a venue for other community events.

'I love the idea of having our ethnic fests like we used to have,” said Sue Vavroch of Cedar Rapids. 'Those were always well attended and well received, so I'd like to see that come back.”

To donate to Roundhouse construction or learn more about Friends of Czech Village, visit czechvillagefriends.org.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com