Five Seasons Ballroom demolished as people watched memories fall

CEDAR RAPIDS - Wednesday was demolition day for a major portion of the Five Seasons Ballroom in downtown Cedar Rapids. This is the first structure to fall to make way for the new convention complex in downtown. A hand-full of buildings need to go down to make space for the city's $75 million Convention Center complex.

It was a bit breezy, but the clear skies sparked a quick process. In just five short hours, Zinser construction crews were able to knock out a big part of the ballroom. Once crews got going, a crowd formed on the street to watch a part of history fall.

It started piece by piece.

“We're gonna move the concrete panels from the outside, then move to the inside.  Then we're gonna cut the structural members, fold them in down to third street,” said Zinser Construction's David Zinser.

And one memory after another came crashing down.

“Ohh there goes the brick wall,” said Jeri Schrimper who watched the demolition.

Along with the demolition gear and the dust and debris, people like Jeri Schrimper came out in droves.

“I was expecting it to come down in one thing.  I wasn't expecting it to come down in pieces,” said Schrimper.

John Bolton came to see the end of fond memories.

“Just history you know it's a big change. I just wanted to see the big changes all happen,” said Bolton.

They lined the streets capturing the building blocks that built the city's main attraction fall. Others stood in the skywalk for an elevated view.

“I can remember when they put the building up.  I can remember when they built the parking ramp next to the Roosevelt and that's coming down too,” said Dan Sullivan.

The cold breeze blew freely from the I-380 ramp, through bare steel frames, down to First Avenue.

“Now it's just the steel and the brick walls,” said Schrimper.

But soon the grappling arm took hold of that steel frame.  And it, too, gave way.

“It'll be a nice change for it, better luck for it,” said Bolton.

Wednesday's demolition is just the beginning.   Next, the crews will tear down the Pro Park East and West buildings and the First Avenue Parking Ramp will also be torn down.

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