Iowa Shed Breaks Ground

Officials have broken ground on a riverfront amphitheater project in downtown Cedar Rapids.

City, county and community leaders celebrated the milestone Wednesday.

The $8.2 million project will be part outdoor entertainment venue and part flood-protection levee when it opens next year.

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett says the facility is expected to feature more than 50 events a year and attract thousands of people to the city. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Corbett believes the amphitheater will serve as a catalyst for development in that part of the city.

The amphitheater will be designed to hold between 3,000 and 5,000 for national touring shows.