116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids LightLine Loop project honors past, looks to future
Construction on the $13.8 million project will be complete next summer
Aug. 19, 2025 3:59 pm, Updated: Aug. 20, 2025 7:17 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — For decades, the Riverside Roundhouse was a staple of Cedar Rapids’ historic Czech Village neighborhood.
The large, circular structure was built in 1963 near what would become the location of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. It served as a neighborhood center for farmers markets, weddings and all kinds of community events.
“On early Saturday mornings, it was the scene of verbal jousting between (market) vendors jockeying for the best spot or sometimes it was the scene of a bit of brewhaha at weddings,” recalled District 3 City Council member Dale Todd.
Then the devastating 2008 flood swept through, and the typically busy gathering space went quiet. Like many buildings along the Cedar River, the roundhouse sustained heavy damage and was later deconstructed.
Now, it’s making a comeback.
On Tuesday, city officials, business leaders and area residents gathered in Czech Village for a ceremonial groundbreaking on a new roundhouse building in a clearing off 17th Avenue SW.
The facility — expected to open in the summer of 2026 — will include a large gathering space, catering kitchen and restrooms for a variety of year-round events and programs in the Czech Village and New Bohemia district.
The roundhouse is the centerpiece of the larger LightLine Loop project, which aims to revitalize the historic Czech Village neighborhood and complement ongoing flood control efforts along the west side of the Cedar River.
“The LightLine Loop is a real investment in our future, and it’s rooted in our history and our traditions,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell. “It’s a symbol of our heritage and a real link to our friends, and for many of us relatives, in Prague.”
The $13.8 million LightLine development implements several key components of the Czech Village/NewBo Action Plan first adopted by the Cedar Rapids City Council in 2019. It is funded in part by a $3 million Destination Iowa grant with the remainder coming from local dollars.
In addition to the new roundhouse, the LightLine Loop includes a lengthy pedestrian promenade, new gateway signage and a flexible “festival street” that can be closed as needed for outdoor events or programs with strong pedestrian traffic.
The development also calls for a series of infrastructure investments including a new 100-plus spot parking lot, improvements along A Street SW and an enhanced 18th Avenue SW connector. Construction began this spring, but Tuesday’s groundbreaking acted as a formal celebration.
“These new spaces will expand access to recreation and provide … free opportunities for people to connect,” said Parks & Recreation Director Carrie Mardorf. “We design our spaces for accessibility so everyone can take part, and we build them to last so they can benefit our community for generations to come.”
The LightLine Loop further complements the ongoing development of the Alliant Energy LightLine pedestrian bridge, a $14.9 million project to connect the historic New Bohemia and Czech Village neighborhoods.
Construction on the bridge began this spring in collaboration with ConnectCR, and it is expected to open in early 2027.
Comments: grace.nieland@thegazette.com
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