City to Hold Third Set of CR Open Houses on November 17 & 18
The City of Cedar Rapids will be seeking residents’ interest and input on the preferred options for rebuilding flood-damaged City facilities and planning for Parks and Recreation facilities and programs in November. The City will host two public open houses at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom, located at 350 First Avenue NE:
• Tuesday, November 17, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This third set of CR Open Houses will, once again, feature a combination of two open houses in one location. One side of the ballroom will feature preferred options for rebuilding City facilities. The other side of the ballroom will focus on the preferred options for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Residents are encouraged to examine both displays and provide comments on comment cards and feedback kiosks.
These events have been rescheduled for November to accommodate additional time needed to include options for shared governmental facilities and research funding strategies. Currently, the City is evaluating preferred options for each of the following City facilities: Animal Care and Control, Central Fire Station, Public Library, City Services Center/Veterans Memorial Building, City Operations Center/Public Works and Fleet Maintenance.
“During the June and August open houses, residents made it clear that they want more details on the options for funding these important community facilities,” said Jim Prosser, Cedar Rapids City Manager. “The City Council wants to make sure we do thorough research so that we can provide the best information possible at the November open houses.”
The third Parks and Recreation Master Plan Open House has been delayed to allow more time to address the gap between what the public indicated they wanted, what is needed for flood mitigation, and challenges with multiple project needs. Additional time will be spent identifying funding alternatives and partnerships. The final open house will provide realistic projections for grants, private contributions and sponsorships. A phasing plan will be developed that will integrate flood mitigation and funding availability.
“We received so much detailed feedback from the second open house that we want to take time to address concerns, look at phasing and make sure priorities are identified. This will be a final important opportunity for the public to tell us what they want in their parks system and along the riverfront. We want to make sure that we have accurately told the story of challenges and opportunities,” said Julie Sina, Parks and Recreation Department Director.
The public comments gathered at the June 23, August 18 and August 19 open house events are being analyzed and used, in combination with evaluation criteria, to create the set of preferred options that will be displayed at these events. All of the public feedback received throughout this public participation process is used to guide the most efficient use of community facilities and parks and recreation facilities and programs to meet the needs of the community today and for the next generation. You can read that feedback online at www.corridorrecovery.org/cropenhouse.
