The City of Cedar Rapids now has a "draft report" that is a "work in progress" ~ the current "report does not include any cost figures related to the considerable changes to the city's street infrastructure that are premised in the report."
The article reports about the recently completed traffic study by Anderson-Bogert Engineers and Surveryors, Inc. of Cedar Rapids. Reporter Rick Smith wrote that the traffic report: "says the city street system also appears to have sufficient capacity to handle other development that might come nearby and a 'fairly generous' growth in traffic."
What about the cost?
What about the need for taxpayers, citizens and guests to our community needing to "find their way for a few years," if Second Avenue SE between 10Th and 12Th streets is closed and Second and Third avenues remain one-way in certain locations and revert back to two-way in other locations? Between the river and 5Th Street SE, will all our current one-way avenues remain one-way?
This past week we heard there is some people in our community that want to close a portion of Third Avenue SE near the Museum of Art. Did the study include that future recommendation, as well?
How far will this suggestion go with the current City Council?
Mayor Ron Corbett reported again on Monday that the study to close Third Street SE for the Event Center expansion will soon begin. Currently, you can take Third Street SE west to get onto I-380. The City of Cedar Rapids has already closed First Street SE at Eighth Avenue for the new Federal Courthouse.
The City of Cedar Rapids has closed a street in the past for PCI. Seventh Street SE between Eighth and Seventh avenues was closed for one of PCI's current properties in Cedar Rapids. PCI plans to consolidate facilities currently located in SE Cedar Rapids into one Medical Mall.
What will happen to PCI's current facilities?
If Second Avenue isn't closed for PCI's planned Medical Mall, will they exit Cedar Rapids for Hiawatha? A local resident in Cedar Rapids suggested what is wrong with that?
Another local resident commented this week about Verizon's tunnel on Fifth Street beneath the street to connect two buildings that Verizon used for a time. Wouldn't a tunnel be an option as well?
Didn't the original Downtown Framework Plan discourage closing streets?
Typically, functional cities want traffic to flow throughout the community. Streets, trails, sidewalks and other types of paths connect neighborhoods and offer walkers, runners, bikers and vehicle traffic to enter and exit one neighborhood, one after another. They connect communities together. Another viewpoint on issue of closing streets, link.
Earlier this week:
Cedar Rapids man pickets; opposed to Second Avenue closure - The Gazette
Jul 26, 2010 ... GIVE ME A BREAK… when PCI starts offering health care for everyone in Cedar Rapids that uses 2nd Ave then they can close any street they ...
While The Gazette says "can handle closed Second Avenue" note the KCRG headline ...
Street System Could Cope with Closed Second Avenue - KCRG
CEDAR RAPIDS - A draft of a traffic study on the proposed closing of a section of Second Avenue SE to allow ...
Could we cope with a Closed Second Avenue SE between 10Th and 12Th Avenue?
- How many more streets in Cedar Rapids will be closed for private use?
- How many more streets in Cedar Rapids will be closed for public use?
- How will citizens be allowed to participate in the community dialogue and process?
Meetings set for August on Cedar Rapids Medical Mall proposal ... - The Gazette
Meetings set for August on Cedar Rapids Medical Mall proposal. Posted on Jul 13, 2010 by admin. An artist's rendition of the new Cedar ...
The City Charter promotes the important role of "citizen participation" for our community. In the Long-Term planning for our community, how do these projects measure up? Is the Medical Mall concept in conflict with other reports and plans formulated by the community or government?
Are the Mayor and remaining eight members of the City Council embracing our City Charter?
It appears a group of Landlords are upset with the City Council in regards to Chapter 29. Again, another group in our community has been asked to "find their way for a few years?"
Earlier in the month of July, the City Council on back to back 2Nd and 3Rd readings replaced the existing Chapter 29 with a complete new Chapter 29, drafted by professional staff in the Code Enforcement department and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
While citizens of our community have to live under our community standards in Chapter 29, a citizen board or commission was not used in this case. The same people who will enforce and implement Chapter 29, also wrote it.
What will be the impact be on affordable housing, economic development and the preservation and use of our current housing stock?
Landlord Group Sues City Following New Ordinance - KCRG
Jul 30, 2010 ... CEDAR RAPIDS - The Landlords of Linn County, a group that represents most landlords in ... Landlord Group Sues City Following New Ordinance ...
Why not utilize a Citizen Board or Commission in the legislative process in our community? Isn't that government 101? Isn't that more in keeping with our City Charter?
Why did our City Council rely on professional staff to develop and write public policy?
- Does Iowa Home Rule law permit the City to intervene and govern civil relationships?
- Equal Protection under the 14Th Amendment
- Are mandates into civil relationships appropriate by the City of Cedar Rapids?
- Is this good public policy to fix it later?
Yes, certain City Council members have supported the new municipal code, even though they have publicly stated, they don't have it all worked out yet. After all, it is a "work in progress" ~ like other public issues in Cedar Rapids.
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