New Science Center to focus on educational programs

A new $16 million science education center would replace the flood-damaged Science Station in downtown Cedar Rapids - if the plan makes business sense, backers announced on Monday.

The Cedar Rapids Science Center would focus on programming and exhibits that local and regional educators could use to teach science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, as educators term the concept.

Dan Thies, chairman of the Cedar Rapids Science Center board, said the former IMAX theater building, the adjacent former Cedar Rapids fire station and a new two-story structure - all in the 400 block of First Street SE - would form the 52,000-square-foot facility. The Paxton building, located adjacent to the old fire station, would be demolished to make way for the new building.

As part of the financial restructuring of the Science Station in 2007, the non-profit Cedar Rapids Science Center Inc. was created to handle all financial contributions, to own and manage the Science Station's real estate and to provide financial oversight.

Todd Bergen, chairman of the Science Station board of directors, said the Science Station will continue to operate in leased space at Lindale Mall.

The Science Center's board in February hired White Oak & Associates of Boston, an expert in museum planning, to draft a five-year operating plan. Thies said the plan, which will be completed in early May, will determine if such a facility can be financially viable over the long term.

“If we get any ounce of deviation from ‘this makes good business sense,' we're just not going to do it,” Thies said.

If the outlook is favorable, Thies said state funding will be sought, more than likely from a next round of I-JOBS grants.

“We will be standing in line to apply for I-JOBS funding if there is another round,” he said. “We also will be looking for funding from other state and federal sources.”

The IMAX and Paxton buildings are owned by the Science Center, and it has a 99-year lease from the city for the former fire station. Thies said the city would be asked to deed the former fire station and property used for parking behind it to the Science Center.

“That would form the city's ‘local match' for state funding,” he said.

Bergen, who has worked with Thies on the Science Center project, said state funding is essential for it to move forward. He said the next step would be seeking corporate financial support.

As envisioned, the Science Center would have a river presence, with a glass overlook of the Cedar River a and glass connecting walkway to the former IMAX dome. The dome would be divided into two levels with the upper level possibly housing a planetarium.

If another flood were imminent, the first-floor exhibits could be removed fairly quickly, according to Thies. He said proposed building materials - tile, brick and masonry - will allow for quick cleanup and reuse.