On April 20, 2010, the Cedar Rapids City Council hired Frew Nations Group to manage the construction of a new event center in downtown Cedar Rapids.
“By hiring this high quality management firm, we are 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.
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 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
