Cedar Rapids business owners reject First Avenue East median idea

CEDAR RAPIDS - A proposal to replace a center left-turn lane with a plant-filled median on a portion of First Avenue has been roundly rejected by businesses along the targeted stretch.

The concept would cover First Avenue East from 27th to 40th streets, a heavily commercial stretch of street.

“It seems absolutely stupid if you ask me,” said Barbra Bateman, owner of Barb's Computer Service, 2706 First Ave. NE. “It will run us out of business.”

David Taylor, owner of the Auto Mart, 3917 First Ave. SE, said the median, which would prevent left turns, would effectively turn First Avenue East into two one-way streets.

“That's really kind of a death sentence for businesses,” Taylor said.

The median proposal is part of a multimillion-dollar improvement to this part of First Avenue. The upgrade is intended to reduce traffic congestion and accidents and to enhance the beauty of the street, said Gary Petersen, the city's capital improvement project manager.

The idea is to create a signature street for the city, Petersen said.

In 2005, the city floated a concept for First Avenue East that would have turned stretches into a seven-lane road to deal with traffic congestion. The idea was met with widespread public opposition.

If adding lanes was out, then the median idea would be a way for First Avenue East to handle projected increases in traffic by reducing the number of turning vehicles.

Petersen said a median is still just a concept and no final decision is imminent.

He noted the city held a public-input session in July and one this month. He is aware that many businesses along the street have criticized the median idea - enough so, he said, that the City Council will be asked to weigh in on what direction the city should go.

Construction on the stretch of road likely would not start before 2015 if the City Council backed a major improvement for the road, he said. Those improvements also could include intersection realignments, wider sidewalks and moving utility lines underground.

Construction could come sooner if the City Council decided to pave the street but keep it essentially as is, he said.

Auto Mart's Taylor said his son, Jeff, has walked the entire project area along First Avenue East to rally opposition to the median idea.

Taylor said the plans place a “green dot” on his business and about six others, apparently signifying those that might not survive or would be significantly affected by the proposed street changes.

John's Lock and Key, 2901 First Ave. SE, is another. Emily James, general manager, said the business has thrived on First Avenue.

James said she and other employees live in the neighborhood, and she said the proposed changes would force more traffic into the nearby residential areas.

Petersen said the city has set aside $4.4 million in grant funds for road improvements on First Avenue East from 27th to 40th streets. It is too soon to know the cost of the project, he said, because a final design isn't set.

The city is in the last phase of major First Avenue East improvements between 40th Street to Collins Road and to Tama Street SE. Petersen said the next phase of work next year will include new paving on First Avenue East from Cottage Grove Avenue to 27th Street.