The Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, built in 1928 and listed on the National Register sustained severe flood damage last week, the most of any of the VenuWorks Iowa facilities.
Although a full review of damage is expected later this week, it is known that the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ was ruined, and most of the exterior glass and doors were cracked or blown out by the force of the flood waters.

Severe rainstorms and flooding last Week in the Midwest caused the Cedar River, in  Cedar Rapids, Iowa to crest at 31 feet, and according to the Associated Press, about 36,000 people throughout Iowa had been evacuated from their homes, more than two thirds of them in Cedar Rapids. The overflowing Cedar River severely damaged the Paramount Theater—and has impacted two other Cedar Rapids venues— the U.S. Cellular Center and the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. All three venues are managed by VenuWorks.

The Paramount Theatre, built in 1928 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was devastated by the flood, which was 12 feet above the previous record flood set in 1929.  The flood overran more than 400 city blocks, displacing an estimated 24,000 residents in a city of 120,000.  The entire downtown area was engulfed in water and initial damage estimates were in excess of $730 million.  The area has been declared a Presidential Disaster Area, making it eligible for FEMA funds.

At its crest, waters from the flood lapped at the marquee signage above the Paramount’s main entrance.  An extensive examination of the Paramount Theatre, which underwent a $7.8 million renovation in 2003, is scheduled for later this week.  However, it is known that the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ was ruined, and most of the exterior glass and doors were cracked or blown out by the force of the water.

Damage is expected to be minimal at the U.S. Cellular Center, four blocks northwest of the Paramount.  Nearly six inches of water breached the building, but sandbags reinforced vital areas.

The Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, located on the city’s southwest side, was untouched by floodwaters, but did not escape their consequences.  The Cedar Rapids Police Department and units from the Iowa National Guard used the facility as their makeshift headquarters for three days after the Police Station was flooded out.  The Police and Guard moved to other locations, but the Streets Department moved into and is now using the venue.

“I want to commend our staff for their heroic efforts to save the Paramount Theatre and U.S. Cellular Center,’’ said Scott Schoenike, Executive Director of all three Cedar Rapids facilities. “The water was so much higher than anyone could have anticipated. The entire city was overwhelmed.”

Venue staff members placed sandbags around the Paramount Theatre and U.S. Cellular Center and also moved furniture from the lobby to the balcony at the Paramount and lifted the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ to its highest point on its mechanized lift in the orchestra pit.  Schoenike and Operations Manager Jason Moyer stayed overnight at the Paramount, monitoring generators and pumps in the building’s basement.  They abandoned their post Thursday (June 12) at 7:30 a.m. when water overran the generators and the pump could not keep up with the water.

“Some of our staff members have no water and/or power but no homes were lost to the flooding,” said Schoenike. “Other staff outside the affected areas have offered their homes to those staff in need.”

Schoenike has been contacting promoters about events scheduled in the two buildings and will continue to work with them. Events scheduled at the Paramount for the next two weeks have been cancelled.  VenuWorks President, Steve Peters has been monitoring the situation from Rome where he was serving in his role as president of the International Association of Assembly Managers. He is expected to return to Iowa and meet with staff later this week.

Last week’s flooding and torrential rains also affected other VenuWorks facilities in Iowa. Flash flooding occurred in  Davenport and the Adler Theatre, renovated in 2007, sustained what has been determined to be minor damage. Evacuation of downtown Des Moines and other neighborhoods resulted in the cancellation of the weekend performances of Menopause, the Musical at Hoyt Sherman Place. Although Hoyt Sherman Place was not part of the evacuation area, Des Moines Mayor T.M. Frankin Cownie, requested all non-essential events cancel or postpone due to flooding concerns.