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...

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Do you own Rental or owner-occupied real estate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

The City of Cedar Rapids is planning to change Chapter 29 of the municipal code on rental real estate. Of course, all property owners will notice an possible impact to individual property rights, due to this change. On June 22, 2010, the City Council is planning to have a first reading on the proposed changes to Chapter 29 of the municipal code.

A fellow Realtor in Cedar Rapids has sent an objection to the City of Cedar Rapids.

OBJECTS TO PROPOSED CH 29 ORDINANCE CHANGES-CRIME - City of Cedear Rapids PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
May 17, 2010 ... I am against the proposed Chapter 29 changes and the mandatory Crime ... for Cedar Rapids tenants which is a valuable asset to growth and ...

The City of Cedar Rapids is changing its web site, so google searches on the subject typically end with a bad link, such as this example. By adding .info, rather than .org, one can get into the City old web site.

More on the subject curtesy of a google search on Chapter 29:

Chapter 29 – Sheryl Jahnel, Member Landlords of Linn County ... - Landlords of Linn County
I have found that there are many difference that set Cedar Rapids Proposed changes over the top. > I am very much opposed to the proposed Chapter 29 ...
Chapter 29 – Dick Rehman‎ - Jun 15, 2010
Chapter 29 Comments: Dick Rehman‎ - May 26, 2010

Chapter 29 of municipal code is a very important public policy issue for the City of Cedar Rapids. Changes can have impacts on affordable housing, housing stock and economic development for our community in the future. The department has been very inefficient throughout the years, including the department's ability to provide data on the customers it serves.

Cedar Rapids Landlords Protest Proposed Fees - KCRG-TV9
Apr 20, 2010 ... CEDAR RAPIDS – Proposed new rules and regulations for Cedar ... The city council is still debating whether to approve all these changes, ...

Right now, the city can't provide a list of problem landlords or even tell
you how many landlords rent property in Cedar Rapids. City staff
admit their record-keeping system needs work and they're trying to replace it. -
KCRG-TV9

Currently, the City of Cedar Rapids has no citizen housing boards or commissions. Communities, like Iowa City, have used citizen boards and commissions to help formulate public policy on housing issued. Despite the City Charter makes recommendations for boards and commissions, but, the police department and housing officials are addressing the ordinance work for our community, rather than elected officials and/or the public.

PREAMBLE
We, the people of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, under the constitution and the
laws of the state of Iowa, in
order to secure the benefits of local
self-government and to provide for the peace, prosperity and security of our
citizens, do hereby adopt this charter. By this charter, we achieve the benefits
of home rule and affirm the values of representative democracy, professional
management, strong political leadership, and citizen participation by
recognizing that our quality of life is based on community and regional
cooperation, innovation, and greater opportunities for all our citizens. - City of Cedar Rapids

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John Fernandez, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to speak at Today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting

Today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting ...

Robin Tucker and Tommy Tucker are members of
Rotary International and are each Paul Harris Fellows ...

Robin Tucker (May 8) and Tommy Tucker (May 9) celebrated birthdays over this past Mother's Day weekend.

Celebrate Rotary's 105 years of service by contributing to The Rotary Foundation

Robin Tucker is planning to attend his Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel at Noon

Today's Program:

John Fernandez

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

Backstory: Aid to Iowa hits $4 billion‎ - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration have pushed ... city of Cedar Rapids for construction of the new downtown events center, ...

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