Corbett and Prosser suggest that Linn County take responsibility for new Cedar Rapids riverfront amphitheater

CEDAR RAPIDS - Mayor Ron Corbett says he wants the Linn County Board of Supervisors to help build a riverfront amphitheater in Cedar Rapids as a way he says for the supervisors to participate in a novel way in the community's flood recovery.

Corbett said Tuesday that the city of Cedar Rapids has a long list of flood-recovery projects which will require at least some city funds, beginning with a new Central Fire Station and an expected new Event Center and including repairs to basic infrastructure.

“I'd like the amphitheater to be their (Linn County's) project,” Corbett said. “I'd like them to adopt that project.”

Corbett, who was speaking along with City Manager Jim Prosser to The Gazette editorial board, noted that Linn County already owns riverfront property south of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, which is one of the preferred sites for the proposed outdoor amphitheater. The other preferred site is just north of the Police Department on city property. The amphitheater, which is estimated to cost $4 million, will be designed to be able to flood.

Corbett noted that the amphitheater project is one which could secure partial funding through the state's River Enhancement Community and Tourism program known as RECAT.

Linda Langston, chairwoman of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, said Tuesday that she's talked with Corbett about the proposed amphitheater, but the county board itself has not talked about the matter at this point, she added.

“It's certainly something I'd be happy to discuss,” she said.

Both Corbett and Prosser acknowledged that the Linn County supervisors haven't historically taken responsibility for such a project.

But Prosser said the June 2008 flood and the community's ongoing flood recovery have created a “new normal.”

Corbett, who also has said he would like Linn County to take a more active role in animal control and care and to partner with the city in building a new animal shelter at Kirkwood Community College, pointed out that much of the tax revenue that supports Linn County government comes from residents of the city of Cedar Rapids. Linn County residents outside the city also would use the amphitheater, the mayor noted.

Langston said the discussion about a proposed new animal shelter has included an idea where the city and county might join forces with Kirkwood Community College to build a new facility with a non-profit group running the operation.

Prosser said a Linn County riverfront amphitheater would mean that the county's most prominent downtown facility would be an amphitheater and not a jail.