Check Out the New Developments in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids’ investments in its downtown create big-city amenities with small-town vibes.
From small business owners to major developers, people are investing in downtown Cedar Rapids, IA, in every direction.
As community leaders craft a vision for the future of downtown, they are focused on adding more sports facilities, recreational opportunities and local businesses. A growing restaurant scene is evidence that their work is paying off, with businesses like Taco Gato opening their doors.
Innovative projects like the inaugural Race for the Space program help spur the growth of small businesses in downtown Cedar Rapids. This “Shark Tank”-style business competition helps launch startups and expansions while filling existing downtown commercial space.
Crowd-Pleasing Investments
Sports enthusiasts visiting or living in Cedar Rapids are cheering about two new downtown developments. Indoor professional soccer has returned to the region, and fans can cheer on the Iowa Raptors, which participates in Major Arena Soccer League 2 division and plays at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse, which was renovated in 2013 and features a 9,000-seat multiuse arena.
Root for the Home Teams
Sports fans, be sure to also check the Kernels professional baseball team (the High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins), as well as the RoughRiders, a junior team in the United States Hockey League.
Those looking for more casual sporting events need look no further than the 43,500-square-foot Pickle Palace, which is part of the $100 million 1st and 1st West project in downtown Cedar Rapids.
Pickle Palace will offer pickleball courts for the fast-growing sport and amenities such as a bar and grill, event space, rooftop courts and games, a roof deck, and a third-floor bar.
Local developer Ahmann Companies has more features in store for the 8-acre 1st and 1st West property, including the 8,000-square-foot Big Grove Brewery, 270 housing units situated above first-floor commercial spaces, a 100-room boutique hotel, a public plaza, and a parking garage surrounded by owner-occupied housing units.
“The 1st and 1st West development is the right project at the right time for our community and for downtown Cedar Rapids. One of the state’s most successful breweries coupled with the fastest-growing sport in the country will bring countless locals and visitors alike to downtown for many years to come,” says Nikki Wilcox, director of strategic development at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.
“These first two anchors of this multiphased project will set the tone as Kingston Yard becomes one of the most popular places to be in all of Cedar Rapids’ urban core.”
Increased Accessibility for All
The community is making major investments in Cedar Lake, located in the heart of downtown. The $20 million improvement project – nicknamed ConnectCR – will make the lake more accessible, and as a result, enhance the experience for paddlers, anglers and commuters.
ConnectCR brings together two major community betterment initiatives in Cedar Rapids – the revitalization of Cedar Lake and the creation of an iconic pedestrian/trail bridge south of downtown.
“We have an incredibly strong base of local, loyal business owners here in downtown, and they are dedicated to seeing our downtown grow and thrive,” says Julie Kraft, ConnectCR’s director of organizational development.
“Many have roots here – roots that run deep – and they are determined to create an environment that attracts residents and visitors to downtown.”
Creative Solutions in Action
Also in the development plans for downtown Cedar Rapids is an estimated $20 million whitewater experience that the city is embarking upon.
Eventual plans are for a kayaking course to be built along the Cedar River near the Five in One Dam and underneath Interstate 380.
“This project is still in the early stages of planning, and the biggest issue will be securing federal and state money because it’s such a big-ticket item,” says Jennifer Pratt, community development director for the City of Cedar Rapids.
“The city is currently developing a greenway through the downtown core of our community, and we certainly want to include the river as part of it.”
Pratt says the first thoughts for the project came after the Cedar Rapids flood of 2008 when city officials were doing a flood control system study.
The city was envisioning ways to avoid future flooding, while boosting recreation opportunities along the riverfront. “There is much reinvestment happening in downtown Cedar Rapids these days, and we want the Cedar River to be an important part of the revitalized district,” Pratt says.
Get to Know Cedar Rapids
Want to learn more about living and working in Cedar Rapids, IA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Cedar Rapids, Iowa.