Moving on in Czech historical area

By The Gazette Editorial Board

At least 60 homes next to the Czech Village commercial district will soon be gone. Another 40 of those homes ravaged by the 2008 flood could face a similar fate. Good riddance or wasted potential in what is the city's best-known cultural district?

The City Council did pause to consider a proposal to save these Czech Village neighborhood homes. But near the end of Tuesday's meeting, council members voted 7-2 to proceed with demolition.

We support the council's need to keep moving ahead on flood recovery projects, to continue leading this community into an era of rebuilding and reinventing ourselves so that we're not only the chief economic driver of Eastern Iowa but one that provides an even better quality of life for residents and attracts a more diverse flow of newcomers.

Still, a nagging question lingers: Did the council too quickly dismiss a request for a 30-day demolition delay from developer Charles Jones of Iowa City and planning consultant Richard Luther of Cedar Rapids? They proposed one more stab at making those homes eligible for historic status, which could gain access to historic tax credits to assist restoration of the homes and make them more affordable to potential buyers - as well as preserve more of the original appearance and heritage of the neighborhood?

While their idea is not without merit, we think it was thin on details that would convince policy makers it had much chance to succeed. The council made a practical, necessary decision.

An earlier review of the neighborhood found 21 homes to be eiglible for individual National Historic Register designation. An additional 97 homes were rated as having the potential to contribute to a possible historic district but too many alterations over time disqualified such consideration.

Luther and Jones said they had lined up volunteers to strip those homes of the alterations, including vinyl siding, porches and other changes. They hoped such drastic action would make those homes eligible for historic designation.

Even given the extreme nature of the idea, was it worth at least a try? After all, this is a neighborhood that includes the National Czech & Slovak Library and Museum and the Czech Village business district - both of which are in the midst of recovery and rebuilding, including major expansion of the museum.

Well, no one other than Luther advocated for the 30-day demolition delay during Tuesday's council meeting. Complicating this issue is that fact that some of the homes are in the construction (greenway) zone of the city's flood protection plan.

And demolition of the 60 homes rated as imminent public health and safety threats is supposed to be completed by Nov. 27 to qualify for FEMA funds.

It's time to move on.