Cedar Rapids Plans May’s Island Sculpture Park

Cedar Rapids is planning a free public sculpture park on May’s Island, intended to connect downtown residents and visitors with the Cedar River through art and outdoor gathering space. Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust is the project’s lead private donor and receives naming rights; its gift will fund the anchor sculpture, with the amount undisclosed. The city plans to begin site and infrastructure improvements in 2027, including upgrades to the entry plaza, accessible paths, lighting and signage, while a nationwide artist search gets underway. The first major artwork is expected to be unveiled in 2028, 20 years after the devastating 2008 flood. City leaders say the project advances plans to activate the riverfront, while noting it is part of a broader public-private effort to improve downtown amenities.