Downtown redevelopment and the new proposed Medical District for Cedar Rapids

We attended Tuesday night's Medical District meeting at the Museum of Art. It was very well attended event. It was nice to see those concerned about the closing of Second Avenue SE for two blocks, those concerned about Historical buildings and those interested in our community planning process and what will make up the proposed district.

The Downtown Framework plan and the plans of PCI expanding operations into one campus are exciting for Cedar Rapids. However, much is misunderstooded at times. Information in the media has been wrong at times. Hindsight being 20/20 likely would say the process should have been handled differently.

Medical mall parking concerns council members - The Gazette CEDAR RAPIDS — The City Council could re-examine parking requirements in the proposed medical district, including plans for a medical mall that call for demolishing a nearly century-old church. A standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 people filled the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art auditorium last night to voice their opinions on the forthcoming medical [...]

[PDF] CEDAR RAPIDS File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View 18 cedar Rapids Framework Plan create a vibrant cohesive downtown character that diversifies the urban fabric, reconnects east and west, and accommodates ...www.cedar-rapids.org/.../floodrecoveryplanning/.../REPORT.11.01.09%20framework%

An early plan was released in May 2007. But, the revision above came in December 2008, after the historic flood of 2008 in Downtown Cedar Rapids. Ironically, the talk now is all about the Medical District. But, the original framework plan was about more than one more self-sustaining taxing district for the core of Cedar Rapids.

• Taxing Districts


• Destination Districts for Downtown Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas

The City should consider looking at it in two parts, rather than 50 blocks that will make up the new proposed Medical SSMID. The consumer side should be seeing multiple destination districts, within the two SSMID districts that make up Downtown Cedar Rapids.

What is a SSMID?

[PDF] SSMID Frequently Asked Questions What is a SSMID? A “self ... File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View

Several communities in Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Davenport, Des .... the new SSMID Downtown District organization. ...

Cedar Rapids Medical District MedQuarter: New Name For "The Cedar Rapids Medical SSMID". Streetscape. December 3, 2010: Cedar Rapids, IA – A new name has been adopted for the emerging ...

The original plan in 2007 called for multiple districts. But, we appears to be focusing solely on the taxing districts, rather the broader community discussion that should be about the multiple districts (i.e. Destination Districts) that fall within both SMMID districts, the proposed and our current Downtown SMMID.

The proposed districts from page 6 the May 2007 framework plan were as following:

• Cultural District


• Medical District


• Industrial District


• Commercial District


• Collegiate District


• Municipal District


• Warehouse District

While the December 2008 framework plan expands on the original framework plan, brought out by the City's response to the aftermath of the Flood of 2008. Not incorporating the subcategories found in the two SSMID groups is something we hope the community may relook at the above language used in the original framework plan. After all, as Reatlors we want as we take from part of our [PDF] Preamble ...

Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment...

ttrco

Happy St. Patrick's Day Cedar Rapids!

Think Green Cedar Rapids!


Update: The SaPaDaPaSo Parade from Downtown Cedar Rapids kicked off at 1 p.m. Thursday, with a good turnout for the parade. Our office is one-half block off the parade route at 613 Second Avenue SE. The Parade will start on Sixth Street SE and make the left turn on Second Avenue SE, just down from Tommy Tucker Realty Co.

The SaPaDaPaSo Parade debuted on March 17th, 1975. The original parade took four minutes, which is certainly a sharp contrast to today's parade.

On behalf of everyone at Tommy Tucker Realty Co. in Downtown Cedar Rapids, we want to wish you a safe and joyful St. Patrick's Day 2011.

On Saturday, a little Red will be in the air, with the St. Joseph's Day Parade in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. But, today's it is all about the Green! Happy St. Patrick's Day...

ttrco

Interested in a 2 Bedroom or 5 Bedroom house for Rent in Cedar Rapids?

Local Realtor Association supports extention of the Local Option Sales Tax for the City of Cedar Rapids

We attended an interesting broker's meeting today, as part of the Cedar Rapids Association of Realtors. Also previewed a possible new listing this afternoon. Nice visit with a contractor on a couple possible projects.

At the end of the day, we noticed the following e-mail from our local association of Realtors ...

At the February Board of Directors meeting the Local Option Sales Tax
extension was discussed. It was agreed that although the Corp of Engineers has
recommended a plan that only protects the East side of the river, both sides
need protection. Without flood protection on both sides another flood could
result in a significant loss of jobs and a corresponding impact on both
residential and commercial real estate sales. Property values in the downtown
commercial district and residential neighborhoods could decrease in value which
would affect the overall tax base of the City. The Board of Directors feel the
best way for the city to acquire matching funds for any state and/or federal
funding to create the flood protection plan needed is to support the extension
of the local option sales tax. The Board of Directors unanimously voted to
support the extension.

My father, I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker, has been a Realtor in Cedar Rapids, since 1955. He strongly believes flood protection is needed on both sides of the river. Ahead and during the Flood of 2008, we reflected on past floods that impacted our family and our local businesses in the past.

My grandfather and father were impacted by floods over the years at the business my grandfather began in 1945. Many of our former locations were impacted by the Flood of 2008. My father's neighborhood, when he first moved to Cedar Rapids was impacted. My grandfather and father first lived in the old Hayes School neighborhood of SW Cedar Rapids. We have had former business locations on both sides of the river that were impacted by the Flood of 2008.

ttrco

Are your smoke alarms/detectors functioning?

We welcome March today and we want to remind property owners and residents it is always a good thing to check your smoke detectors regularly.


Whether you have hard wired or battery operated smoke detectors in your property you own or rent, you should check them periodically.


If something isn't right, get it fixed or call someone. Don't risk your life. Accidents do happen and proper working equipment is your first defense.

ttrco