City Council Considers Hiring Frew Nations Group
At tonight's meeting, the Cedar Rapids City Council will consider hiring the Frew Nations Group to manage the construction of a new event center in downtown Cedar Rapids.
“By hiring this high quality management firm, we will be proactively showing the Economic Development Authority that Cedar Rapids is poised to build an event center that will drive economic development in eastern Iowa,” said Mayor Ron Corbett. “We believe this improves our chances of securing an EDA grant for this project.”
The event center was identified as a priority in the 2007 Vision Cedar Rapids Downtown Framework Plan and the 2009 Neighborhood Planning Process Reinvestment Plan. During each planning process, a large number of residents expressed interest in the development of a new specialty venue that draws a regional population. The Cedar Rapids Events Center project includes the renovation of the existing U.S. Cellular Center with an added 60,000 square feet of exhibit space and 12,000 square feet of conference and meeting room space at an estimated cost of $67 million.
The success of the expanded and improved Event Center will be of utmost interest to the Downtown District. As cited in downtown plans, the event center will serve as an anchor project that can help spur construction of a new downtown hotel, expanded dining and entertainment venues, enhanced streetscape and pedestrian-friendly environments, improvements to existing commercial properties, and eventually development of all the elements necessary to make residential and retail sectors of downtown successful.
The Frew Nations Group specializes in the design, construction and management of private and publicly-owned facilities and projects. The company is lead by John Frew and Chris Nations. Mr. Frew has resigned from his temporary position as the Chief of Staff to Governor Chet Culver of Iowa to manage the Cedar Rapids Event Center project.
“Cedar Rapids has always had a special meaning for me and our company is honored to be considered for this important role in its future,” said Mr. Frew. “I moved back home to help the Governor meet the challenges created by declining state revenues, the need for a more efficient state government and the 2010 legislative session. With that assignment completed, I am anxious to return to the private sector and the company and work that I greatly enjoy.”
For more information about the 2007 Vision Cedar Rapids Downtown Framework Plan, visit http://www.cedar-rapids.org/community/downtown_plan.asp.
For more information about the 2009 Neighborhood Planning Process Reinvestment Plan, visit http://www.cedar-rapids.org/development/hot_topics_npp.asp.
For more information about the history of the US Cellular Center, visit http://www.uscellularcenter.com/USCC/uscc.html.