Closing Second Avenue will be well worth it

I'm almost 67, retired, and I'm for closing Second Avenue to make way for our new medical mall.

We have all heard the skeptical comments, but let us think about what this really could mean.

For us: A coordinated approach to specialty care all focused on what is best and most convenient, located in one easy-to-find-and-enter location, featuring a continued strong emphasis on quality and cost effectiveness.

For our community: The medical district/medical mall patient-focused, super-convenient concept, once successful, will attract more patients. This increasing patient volume will drive growth and expansion of all types, while promoting even more cost efficiency.

For our medical community: One can only imagine what a growing, forward-looking medical district, properly led and strongly embraced by our City Council, could mean long term. An improved ability to attract doctors in more specialty areas? Medical research expansion? More patients looking for Cedar Rapids-style health care quality and cost effectiveness? A revitalized economic engine for the area? All of the above? I'm thinking the latter.

Closing Second Avenue, encouraging the building of the medical mall and associated district is something we all need to encourage our Council to embrace.

Brian Scott

Cedar Rapids