Cedar Rapids mayor to reveal convention center plans today

The pretty pictures are ready.

Mayor Ron Corbett will speak at a news conference at 1:30 p.m. today to show off the architectural renderings of the city's new Event Center complex.

The $67-million-plus complex will consist of an ungraded U.S. Cellular Center arena and a new convention center to be built next door on what is now Third Street NE and in much of the block between First and A avenues NE and Second and Third streets NE.

The release of the pictures was put on hold two weeks ago because they incorporate the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel, which is attached to the arena, into the project.

The city's plan, frustrated up to now, is to buy the hotel from its creditor and now owner, CWCapital LLC, and then to renovate the hotel as the city is upgrading the arena and building a new convention center.

On Friday, Corbett said the City Council on Tuesday would take a first formal step to use its power of eminent domain to force CWCapital LLC to sell the hotel to the city.

The Event Center project has been slated to be complete by the end of 2012.

Gallery: Renderings of Event Center plans

[imagebrowser id=412]