Built in the late 1920’s, the Paramount Theatre is a performing arts center in downtown Cedar Rapids. The theatre is owned by the City of Cedar Rapids and managed by the Five Seasons Facilities Commission and VenuWorks. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about the theatre’s history here.
In June 2008, the Paramount Theatre was severely damaged by the worst flood in Cedar Rapids history. At the crest of the flood, the building was inundated by approximately eight feet of water on the main level. The basement and sub-basement were completely flooded. The Flood of 2008 caused over $16 million in damaged to the historic theatre.
After cleaning and stabilizing the building, the City hired a team of professionals to rebuild, restore and improve the theatre. The goal of the reconstruction project is to create a financially viable multipurpose venue suitable for symphony, theatre and opera performances, organ recitals, community productions, film showings and community gatherings to better serve eastern Iowa through the 21st Century. Learn more about the project here.
Project Timeline
- July 2008 – Building stabilization & hazard mitigation begins
- March 2011 – Building design complete
- August 2011 – Construction begins
- Fall 2012 – Construction complete
Project Costs
- FEMA Reimbursement = approximately $21 million
- I-JOBS Grant = $5 million
- State & Federal Historic Tax Credits = $8.5 million
- Estimated Total Project Cost = $34.5 million
Paramount Theatre Reconstruction Committee
- Jim Hoffman, Orchestra Iowa - Committee Chair
- Al Varney, Five Seasons Facilities Commission
- Peggy Whitworth, Former Executive Director of Brucemore
- Maura Pilcher, Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission
- Vanessa Solesbee, Downtown District
- Marc Gullickson, Ryan Companies – Non-voting member
- Bradd Brown, OPN Architects – Non-voting member
- Gene Felling, VenuWorks – Non-voting member
- Robert Massey, Orchestra Iowa – Non-voting member