• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Business / Cedar Rapids hotel slowly rebuilding

Cedar Rapids hotel slowly rebuilding

May 20, 2009 By admin

A major business in eastern Iowa is rebuilding its reputation under new management. The Crowne Plaza Hotel was often referred to as the "crown jewel" of downtown Cedar Rapids, but renovation work – originally scheduled to start in 1999 – came to a stand still. Just a year ago, the owners weren’t paying bills and owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes.

Employee paychecks bounced and health benefits were canceled. A bank now owns the 275-room hotel and repairs and renovations are on the fast track. General Manager Deb Stout says they’ve reopened the Top of the Five restaurant – located on the 16th floor. "It’s a gorgeous view from up there," Stout said.

The Crowne Plaza is the city’s largest hotel and one of the tallest buildings in Cedar Rapids. Presidents have stayed there and there’s a landing pad for helicopters on the roof. In a year and a half, Stout says the historic hotel took a major hit from the previous owner, Kronos Hotels. Not only did the reputation suffer, but renovation efforts took a hit too.

"They might put in vanities before they put in the carpet, so when the carpet came they had to take out the vanities and lay down carpet…a lot of things were done backwards as someone would do it to make it efficient," Stout said. The hotel’s pool, which was damaged in last year’s flooding, is expected to reopen in the next few months. Workers are also preparing to replace the carpet in the hallways and lobby.

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Business, Fires/Accidents/Disasters

Featured Stories

Grundy Center man sentenced to life for killing State Trooper

Jodi Husientruit remembered 27 years after she disappeared

Iowa Supreme Court rules in Mahaska-Marion County regional airport dispute

Pheasant harvest and hunter numbers both up this year

Iowa Supreme Court overturns ruling creating constitutional abortion right

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/27/22

AJ Green signs with Milwaukee

Iowa to host Georgia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Iowa State adds a defensive back

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/20/22

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC