Performing arts center takes shape in Coralville

CORALVILLE - At the moment, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is somewhere a person could literally break a leg.

It's all steel beams, concrete and scaffolding in a building under construction on the corner of Fifth Street and 12th Avenue.On a recent rainy day, water was even getting inside it.

Soon, though, the 480-seat auditorium will be the latest addition to the area's active performing arts scene.

“I think this will actually tie the community together - the schools, the dance groups,” said Mayor Jim Fausett. “Art is such a big part of our community.”

The $11.2 million performing arts center is part of six-story building called Plaza on 5th that also will include retail and office space and 28 residential condominiums.

It is scheduled to open in August, which would be just shy of two years after construction began. A community theater was first discussed more than a decade ago.

The project is being privately developed and the city will buy the theater once it is finished. The city referred most questions on the commercial and residential space to Teresa Morrow of the Blank & McCune real estate company, the leasing agent for the private portion of the building. Morrow did not return phone and e-mail messages.

Plans call for about 14,000 square feet of retail space, including a restaurant, on the first floor and two floors of office space, said City Administrator Kelly Hayworth. The condos are on the top three floors and listed for between $209,000 and $475,000.

The city received $1.6 million from the state's Vision Iowa Board for the performing arts center. A fundraising campaign has brought in an additional $1.1 million, with a goal of $1.4 million. Seat sponsorships are still available.

The theater's focus will be on community and regional acts, school activities and educational opportunities. It is expected to be the new home of City Circle Acting Company of Coralville. It is not to be competition for Iowa City's Englert Theatre, which attracts national touring acts.

There will be 330 seats on the main floor and 150 in the balcony. The seating is on a steep angle, which officials say will provide for good sight lines and an intimate feel. The stage, sound board and light booth are to be state of the art.

Assistant City Administrator Ellen Habel said the person handling the acoustics also is expected to work on the new Hancher Auditorium for the University of Iowa.

“So the acoustics are going to be terrific,” she said.

Megan Flanagan started her job last week as the performing arts center's managing director. She has worked for multiple theaters in Chicago, and she said Coralville's is “very well designed.”

Like the mayor, she believes it will be a boon for the community, both economically and culturally.

“Any time you add a cultural venue and further cultural opportunities, it adds to your community,” she said.