The Cedar Rapids City Hall Question

Posted on 20. Aug, 2009 by admin in 2008 Flood, News and Links, Save Iowa

A look at City Hall in downtown Cedar Rapids

The city of Cedar Rapids is facing a tough question; should it rebuild the flood-damaged city hall or should it develop a new city hall from scratch?

It is a tougher question than most might think.

The city estimates it will cost taxpayers either around $50 million to build a brand-new City Hall or an almost $4.5 million cost (of an estimated total $39 million renovation project) for the flood-damaged Veterans Memorial Building and City Hall to be revived. In the long term scheme, the costs are almost equal.

Something else complicating things is that the city must renovate Veterans Memorial Building even if it builds a brand-new City Hall. FEMA will pay most of the cost of the estimated $39 million rennovation, but the taxpayers will have to cover some expense as well.

Another variable in the mix is flood insurance. “The total cost estimate over time for returning City Hall to the flood-damaged Veterans Memorial Building includes a $23.5 million cost for flood insurance,” compared to not needing flood insurance for a new City Hall in a different location.

One more option for City Hall is investing the money into relocating City Hall to Westdale Mall, where several other governmental organizations are now located. This option is the most costly to taxpayers than the other two options, but it is also one of the more popular options among CR residents.

Regardless of what decision is made for the City Hall project, it is clear that the Cedar Rapids and the surrounding areas are ready to move on with life after the flood, and want action fast.

For more information, see the following stories:

Rebuild Cedar Rapids city hall, or build new one?
Future Of C.R. City Hall And Library On Display
CR Looks to Revamp Recreation & Parks Post Flood

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