Mount Mercy expected to disclose expansion plans

Mount Mercy University is expected to announce expansion plans Friday involving property that's part of the former Terex Cedar Rapids manufacturing plant in northeast Cedar Rapids.

The university has scheduled a news conference at 2:30 p.m. Friday at 909 17th St. NE, where Terex Cedar Rapids has an office.

The exact nature of the expansion is not known, but the university confirmed in February that it had reached an agreement to purchase part of the sprawling Terex complex that has been vacant since June 2010. The purchase agreement was contingent on rezoning, other inspections and approvals.

A rezoning application filed in February with the city asked for about 21.7 acres east of 17th Street NE and south of I Avenue NE to be rezoned from industrial to office/service, which allows for uses by colleges and universities. Part of the Terex property near J Avenue NE would remain zoned for industrial use.

Separately, Mount Mercy is remodeling the former U.S. Army Reserve Center at 1599 Wenig Rd. NE for a new graduate center.

The Mount Mercy University CRST Graduate Center, made possible by a $2.1 million gift from Dyan and John Smith on behalf of CRST, will house 14 classrooms, 17 faculty offices, 10 therapy rooms and two observation rooms.

The renovated 34,494 square foot building will include a 3,324 square foot auditorium that will seat up to 200 people, a marriage and family therapy clinic, computer lab, coffee shop, lobby, common area and faculty conference room.