Cedar Rapids Montessori school choice for Knutson site

CEDAR RAPIDS - A new Montessori school is being recommended as the future use of the vacant Knutson Building along the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids.

A review panel of Cedar Rapids staff and representatives from historic preservation, banking, real estate, and other private sector enterprises picked the proposal by developer Steve Emerson's Aspect Inc., in partnership with the Cedar Rapids School District, according to documents prepared for the City Council.

Emerson's proposal was chosen over Hobart Historic Restoration's pitch to develop a historic housing project utilizing the Knutson Building, which sits on Valor Way SW behind the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Members of the Cedar Rapids City Council are to discuss the proposal when they meet at noon Tuesday at City Hall, 101 First St SE. The council is to consider allowing city development staff to negotiate a development agreement with Aspect for the city-owned property, which includes the Knutson Building and parcels at 525, 529, and 533 Valor Way SW.

The Aspect proposal seeks $500,000 from the city to offset costs to stabilize the dilapidated building before construction. The building was severely damaged in the 2008 flood, has issues with asbestos and mold and is not structurally sound, according to city documents.

'The stabilization is needed as an interim measure to prevent further dilapidation of the structure while the developer receives approval by state and federal agencies for historic preservation tax credits,” according to a city memo.

Emerson's $5.5 million plan would see a full restoration of the Knutson Building, which opened in 1887 as a condensed milk factory, as well as construction of a 22,500-square-foot addition. The new downtown school would support up to 300 students and bring 22 new jobs, the proposal states.

The plan is contingent upon Cedar Rapids Community School District getting a $12 million federal Magnet School Assistance Program grant, which would pay for several new magnet schools.

If financing goes through, the building could be ready for the 2019 school year, or perhaps sooner, a school official said last month.

City officials have been grappling with the future of the rundown building for at least two years, trying to avoid demolition, which was pegged at $400,000. The building is seen as a historic treasure for the area that should be saved.

City Council when discussing one last run at private development earlier this year, left itself the option of demolition anyway if the proposals fell short or sought too much public money.

The Aspect project, if approved, would have to meet historic preservation requirements, site plan provisions to accommodate traffic flows at drop-off and pickup times, coordination to support future construction of the Cedar Rapids flood control system, opportunities for shared use related to adjacent McGrath Amphitheatre events, such as parking and greenroom space for performers, and a mechanism for the city to eventually recoup the $500,000 investment.

The Montessori method calls for student-centered learning with varying ages grouped together. Initially, the school would likely focus on children in first, second or third grades, and eventually grow to accommodate students old enough for fifth grade.

The school would also be a magnet concept, not having a set attendance zone. Students at the school - which would still be public and tuition-free - would be chosen through a random lottery.

- Gazette reporter Molly Duffy contributed to this report.