APWA Project of the Year: Paramount Theater

Restoration

Sandy Pumphrey, PE, CFMProject Engineer II – Flood Mitigation

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

History

• Built in 1928 as the Capitol Theater

• Became Paramount in 1929

• Gifted to CR in 1975• Renovation in 1979• Renovation and

addition in 2003

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

2008 Flood

11/13/12

2008 Flood

2008 Flood

11/13/12

2008 Flood

2008 Flood

11/13/12

2008 Flood

• River at 31.12’ • Previous high 20’• Normal level 5’ – 10’

• Surpassed 500-year FIRM boundary in some areas.• 310 City Owned Buildings Damaged

• City Hall• 10 sq miles affected• 561 blocks affected• 7749 properties evacuated• $16m in damage to the Paramount Theater

11/13/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Limiting the Damage

• Fighting mold and progressive water damage• Air stabilization

11/13/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Where to start

• Community dialogue– For– Against

• Many Questions– Funding?– Flood Protection?– Historic Fabric?– Enhancements?

11/13/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Setting the Vision

• Stakeholder Group• Design Team• Vision Setting Sessions

- Interviews- Historical Research

• Then the funding question

10/23/12

Setting the Vision

• Projects Objectives:• Improve patron experience• Improve seating comfort and accessibility• Improve sound quality• Enhance stage functions for all users• Increase orchestra pit capacity• Restore historic Wurlitzer Organ• Restore to SHPO standards• Relocate dressing rooms/HVAC to upper levels• Restore historic lighting, but with new technology

10/23/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Funding

• FEMA Repair• FEMA Hazard Mitigation• FEMA Code Compliance• I-Jobs• State Historic Tax Credits• Federal Historic Tax Credits

10/23/12

Funding

10/23/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Environmental Remediation

• Mold• Lead Paint• Asbestos

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Repairs to Damaged Elements

11/13/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Hazard Mitigation

11/13/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Historical Restoration

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Improvements• Stage Expansion• Backstage Access• Orchestra Pit Expansion• Seating – width and legroom• Audio Visual• Acoustic Enhancements• Electrical• HVAC• Concessions Area• Connection to Orchestra Iowa’s adjacent space• Backstage Amenities

Improvements

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Other Elements

• Wurlitzer Organ• Marquee Sign• Tuckpointing

11/13/12

Today’s Presentation

• History of the Theater• 2008 Flood• Limiting the Damage• Where to start• Setting the Vision• Funding

• The Project– Environmental

Remediation– Repair– Hazard Mitigation– Historical Restoration– Improvements– Other Elements

• Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

• Stakeholder Group• Set scope first, then secure funding• Explore Historic Tax Credits• Be creative with other funding sources• Get Community Buy-In• Mitigate against future disasters• DREAM BIG!

10/23/12

THANK YOU.

Sandy Pumphrey319 286 5363s.pumphrey@cedar-rapids.org