Paramount Drawings and Designs Bring Out an Interested Crowd
By Dave Franzman, Reporter
Marla Nikodim of Rural Cedar Rapids (left) asks Kristin Hurt with OPN Architects (right) questions about a 3D laser scan of the Paramount Theater during an informational meeting on proposed improvements to be made as the theater is rebuilt Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010 at the US Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids. The Paramount was heavily damaged by floodwaters in 2008. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)
By
Aaron Hepker
Story Created:
Sep 9, 2010 at 4:50 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 9, 2010 at 5:15 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids took a direct hit from the June 2008 flooding. But the first physical restoration work begins next spring on the heavily-damaged city landmark. And part of the plan was showing all the current ideas to the public.
The city of Cedar Rapids, Five Seasons Facilities commission and Paramount Theatre Reconstruction Committee hosted a “sneak peak” at the drawings and designs on Thursday. And more than 200 people took an opportunity to see what the future holds for the Paramount during the two open house sessions.
As a structure on the National Register of Historic Places, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has committed $21-million dollars for the work necessary to bring the 1928 structure back to its original and historic look. But $5-million dollars in I-JOBS money from the state and $7-million dollars in tax credit funding will allow the city to go beyond mere repairs.
Former Brucemore historic site director Peggy Whitworth was also a member of a committee that restored the Paramount Theatre back in the 1970’s after it was given to the city. Whitworth said historic preservation does not mean standing still—and she was glad to see the plans called for plenty of improvements.
“We do not want to preserve some object in isolation that has no function,” Whitworth said. “To preserve the building means that it has a life.”
At the open house, the emphasis was on improvements. The total capacity of the theater will drop from 1,930 seats to about 1,700. That will mean new seating and more room for patrons. That idea alone was probably the biggest hit at the open house.
John Schnipkoweit, who attended the event with his wife, said “I think now maybe it’ll sound great, you can see everything and it’ll be comfortable.”
Visitors also appeared interested in the improved acoustics and lighting that will come with the restoration as well as the bigger stage that will accommodate bigger shows. Many of the changes, like an expanded orchestra pit and improved back-of-house changes, probably won’t be visible to patrons. But it will bring the theater itself up to more modern standards.
Jim Hoffman, chairman of the Paramount Theatre Restoration Committee, said “we’re trying to put a design together that not only protects the historic nature of the theater but brings the theater back in an even better fashion that it was before.”
Hoffman said while much of the design work is nearing completion—it’s not too late to make some changes. And any good ideas that come out of the public sessions on Thursday could still get incorporated into the restoration.
City officials expect the building design to be completed by March of 2011. That would mean a start to construction in the spring of that year and completion in the fall of 2012.
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