Sept. 11, 2025 – The Downtown Library Urban Plaza will receive an update this fall through a project funded by the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Beginning Monday, Sept. 15, contractors will begin tearing out the pavers in front of the library’s Fourth Avenue SE entrance. These pavers have deteriorated since the library opened in 2013 and are in need of replacement. Rather than replace like with like, the library made the decision to redesign the space to be more accessible and easier to maintain.
The project will remove the graduated steps and add clearly marked accessible paths to the library entrance. "Regeneration," the sculpture on the plaza, will be safely protected during the construction.
The Urban Plaza work site will be enclosed for safety; however, public sidewalks will remain open, and patrons will still have access to the library doors via the sidewalk running parallel to the building from Fifth Street SE. Work is anticipated to take six to eight weeks, weather permitting.
Parking will remain unobstructed for library patrons and visitors to the area. The library drive-up book drop will also remain open.
Thank you for your patience as we work on this improvement.