Cedar Rapids looking to jazz up new parking ramp

This is a rendering of the city of Cedar Rapids new parking ramp plus skywalk over First Avenue East that will connect the ramp to the citys Doubletree by Hilton at the U.S. Cellular Center complex, which will consist of the hotel and arena, both under renovation, and the new convention center, under construction next door. (Novak Design Group)

CEDAR RAPIDS The city is preparing to start construction this summer on a new parking ramp across First Avenue East from the city-owned hotel and Convention Complex, a ramp that may be bigger and more attractive with more first-floor retail space and a faster elevator than planned if the city receives favorable project bids.

The city puts the estimated cost of the ramp at $10.5 million and the skywalk at $1 million. Bids will be opened on May 2.

In addition to the basic bids for the ramp and skywalk, the city is asking contractors to provide four alternate bids for additions to the basic project if the base bids are favorable and the City Council chooses to fund them.

The first add-on would provide a more-attractive exterior cladding on the side of the ramp that faces Second Avenue SE, a cladding that is part of the basic bid for the two sides visible to First Avenue SE. The fourth side, next to the Theatre Cedar Rapids building, wont be noticeable.

The second add-on would add a seventh floor to the ramp. The basic bid calls for six floors and 460 parking spaces and the add-on would make the ramp a seven-story one with an additional 75 parking spaces.

The third add-on would provide for more first-floor retail space on the side of the ramp facing First Avenue SE than is called for in the basic bid.

And a fourth add-on would provide a faster elevator.

Sandy Pumphrey, building facilities capital project manager in the citys Public Works Department, on Monday said that the stakeholder group advising the city on the parking ramp feels an attractive facade is an important part of a ramp located in a prime downtown spot. The group is hoping that favorable bid prices also allow for the seventh level to be added to the project, he said.

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Cedar Rapids looking to jazz up new parking ramp