Controversy greets Cedar Rapids home demolition

UPDATE: The first of 281 flood-damaged home in Cedar Rapids got knocked to the ground this morning.  But the demolition process in the Time Check neighborhood did not start without some controversy.

The face of the Time Check neighborhood, in northwest Cedar Rapids, will change forever after nearly 300 homes disappear.  Larger areas, especially close to the Cedar Rapids, may have no homes left standing at all.

But contractor D.W. Zinser is starting the demolition process with some of the homes farthest from the Cedar River.  The first to go was a home owned by Emma Caldwell at 905 Ellis Boulevard N.W.  The demolition contractor plans to knock down 34 homes on Ellis and then begin work closer to the river.

The Caldwell family owned the first home demolished for 44 years. Fred Caldwell grew up there and said it was for the best--although it was hard to watch.

"I realize it's the logical thing to do and tried to approach it that way--try to stay ration, not too emotional," Caldwell said.

But the first demolition at 7 a.m. Monday morning didn't begin without some controversy.  A handful of protesters who gathered to watch warned the city was knocking down homes without a valid purchase agreement in place.  The Caldwell home is in that category, although Emma Caldwell has put her property on a city buyout list.

Protesters warned that knocking a home down first without completing the buyout process might leave owners vulnerable to repay the $15,000 to $25,000 cost of demolition if they did get a buyout later.  Cedar Rapids Council member Don Karr joined the group and said he'd like to halt the work on Ellis Boulevard in favor of other areas until the questions get settled.

"We have 100 homes down in the greenway that can be torn down and are paid for that are a hazard to the public--more than a hazard to the public than hers here on Ellis Boulevard," Karr said. "This has got to stop."

Karr, Mayor Ron Corbett and City Manager Jim Prosser were in a meeting Monday morning to air the issues.  City Flood Recovery Director Greg Eyerly told KCRG-TV9 he believes the city is on solid legal ground with the paperwork that allowed the city to demolish homes for health and safety reasons.

Eyerly also believes homes knocked down before a final purchase agreement will not result in demolition bills for owners.  Eyerly said as of now, there is no indication the city will halt the demolition work or make major changes.

Corbett is putting the demolition process on the city council agenda for Tuesday.  Corbett, Prosser and Karr met for several hours this morning after protesters raised concerns about the city razing homes without a valid purchase contract in place.

Corbett told KCRG-TV9 he has concerns and might ask others on the council to set a priority list for which homes should come down first.  However, the city is apparently not directing contractor D.W. Zinser to alter plans for the moment.

-- Dave Franzman, KCRG-TV9