NewBo City Market renovation aims for year-round events, construction underway

NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids’ New Bohemia district is undergoing a major renovation aimed at making the space usable for year-round events, the market announced.

Construction began in early 2025 and is expected to be finished by summer 2025, according to the market. The project includes a new permanent stage, expanded seating areas, and upgraded lighting and sound systems.

“We want NewBo City Market to be a destination for the community every day of the year, not just during the summer months,” the market’s executive director said in a statement.

The renovation is funded in part by a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority and through local fundraising, the market said. While the market will remain open during construction, some areas may be temporarily closed.

NewBo City Market operates as a nonprofit and features local vendors, artisans, and food producers. The upgrades are designed to support events such as concerts, farmers markets, and winter festivals.

“This renovation is about creating a space that can adapt to whatever the community needs — a concert, a farmers market, a winter festival,” the executive director said.

For Linn County residents, the changes mean more opportunities to visit the market beyond the traditional summer season. The New Bohemia district, a hub for local businesses and arts, stands to benefit from the expanded programming.

(An unconfirmed estimate from a news report put the project cost at approximately $1.5 million, but that figure has not been independently verified by the market or official documents.)