Historic Paramount Theatre shows signs of progress

CEDAR RAPIDS - Progress from the 2008 flood can be spotted on 4th Ave SE in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Construction crews started working on the Paramount Theatre in early June. It's just one step in the theater's $35 million restoration project.

Some may have noticed that walls are starting to be demolished on the backside of the Paramount Theatre. Eventually, crews will then be able to extend the Paramount back towards 4th Ave SE. John Ryan, the project manager for the restoration project, is excited to finally see things starting up.

"It's a terrific feeling to finally get this underway. We have been involved for quite some time and it's just nice to see the Paramount coming back," Ryan said.

One other thing on the list: bringing together two facilities that work hand-in-hand.

"The Orchestra Iowa building that sits adjacent will be connected," Ryan said.

Workers are now demolishing the orchestra pit, expanding it to seat 50 musicians.

"Once they get the orchestra pit removed, we'll move on to the back wall," Ryan said.

The back wall, behind the old stage, will come later when the focus turns to more interior work.

"What you see on 4th will actually be a gathering space, or a pre-function space where you could hold an event for a company," Ryan said. Above the gathering space will be the new green room and dressing rooms, both are currently in the basement. Theatre leaders wanted those areas moved, incase of future flooding.

FEMA, I-JOBS, and federal and state historic tax credits, are helping fund the restoration. Even though crews have already made visible progress, there's still plenty of work left to do. The project manager tells Sourcemedia they haven't had any issues or problems since starting work. Everything is running smoothly and on time with a scheduled completion date of October 19th 2012.

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