Cambridge Opera House Nearing Completion

 

The Cambridge Opera House or Legion

Building is close to complete.

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The completed renovation will provide four

apartments and two commercial spaces in the

downtown area. The purpose is to attract

business and new residents to Cambridge.

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Cambridge received a $180,000 housing grant

to continue renovation of the historic

Legion/Opera House building at 222 Water

Street in June 2022.

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The $180,000 Downtown Housing Grant

accompanies an earlier $100,000 Community

Catalyst BuildingRemediation grant. Both

were awarded through the

Iowa Economic Development Authority. 

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Project Background

Built in 1914 and located at 222 Water St., the building was deeded over (donated) to the City of Cambridge by Mathis Wire American Legion Post #223 in 2018. The organization no longer needed the space due to declining membership, plus, the city’s library previously housed inside the building had recently moved to the new Cambridge City Center across the street. The donation of the building was made with the Legion’s request to renovate the building to benefit the community.

 

The Cambridge City Council began working on plans to renovate the building in 2919. The city hired FEH Design, an architecture, structural engineering and interior design firm out of Des Moines, to handle the design process. The firm will continue to work with the city until the project’s completion.

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Work Started in Spring 2021

In spring 2021, the city council awarded a contract to King Knutson Construction Company to handle the renovation work. They began working on the building in the summer of 2021.

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Progress was delayed during the process of digging out the basement to pour a new foundation on the back of the building. Workers ran into debris buried after a fire that occurred decades ago. They also encountered excessive groundwater, which required additional drainage installation.  

 

Plans for Completion Spring 2023

The design of the front, or west side, of the building will mirror its original look to compliment other buildings along Cambridge’s main street. The mural on the north side of the building will remain untouched.

 

The interior will feature salvaged wood doors, jambs and frames to not only maintain the building’s historic appearance. Work was also done to renovate the original wood floors and tin ceilings.

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Spaces within the building will include:

•  Two 700 square foot commercial spaces will face Water Street on the west side of the building on the main level

• One ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)-compliant studio apartment (602 square feet) will be located on the east side of the main level

• Three apartments will be located on the second level and will include a two-bedroom apartment (868 square feet), a second two-bedroom apartment (844 square feet) and a one-bedroom apartment (820 square feet)

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All apartments will have kitchen, living areas, laundry rooms, pantry, and storage access in the basement. Building tenants will be able to park on the east side of the building off the alley.

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Project Funding

• The city is funding the Opera House/Legion Building $1.3 million renovation through several grants and loans:

•  Downtown Housing Grant - $180,000

• USDA Rural Economic Loan - $283,000 (0% interest)

•  Grant from Story County Board of Supervisors - $45,000

• Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant - $100,000

 

The project has had several overages and setbacks including additional drainage tile needed in the basement and replacement of rotten studs and joists in the back wall.

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The city does plan to sell the building to an investor after completion.