Corbett suggests time has arrived to build new animal shelter at Kirkwood; talk can continue on who uses it and manages it

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids City Council and the Linn County Board of Supervisors sat down for a luncheon meeting to discuss ways they can work together.

The meeting was held at the temporary City Hall in northeast Cedar Rapids, and Linda Langston, chairwoman of the supervisors, led the meeting.

It was nice. The two governments may meet again in the fall.

Two matters closest to the front burner appear to be two city projects that the city is trying to see if the county has any interest in being part of – a new animal care and control operation and an outdoor riverfront amphitheater.

City officials noted that the city currently is conducting an amphitheater feasibility study, which should be complete in August. Up to now, the proposal has been for the amphitheater to be located downtown on the west bank of the Cedar River on one side or the other of the Police Department.

Linn County owns much of the land down river from the Police Department, which would make the county a player in any amphitheater built there.

County Supervisors Langston and Lu Barron noted that the county has no interest in demolishing the Mott Building on a piece of its property. The building has historic standing, though is not on the National Register of Historic Places, the supervisors noted.

Barron said it would be good if the Mott Building could be reused and fit into any development along the riverfront rather than be a hindrance to such development.

Langston noted that the riverfront amphitheater will be designed as part of the city's flood-protection system so it can take on water without being damaged.

Mayor Ron Corbett noted that the city may seek state I-JOBS funds or state River Enhancement Community Attraction and Tourism funds to help pay for the amphitheater.

As for animal-relaed issues,  Linn County currently has a task force studying animal control and sheltering issues. The task force will issue a report in the next month or two, Supervisor Ben Rogers noted.

City Council member Kris Gulick and Supervisor Brent Oleson also have been looking into how differing jurisdictions might collaborate in providing animal-related services.

At the same time, the city is being coaxed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pick a site to replace the city's flood-damaged animal shelter, and meanwhile, Kirkwood Community College is eager to collaborate on the project and has land available for it. The college has veterinarian-technician students who can benefit from the shelter.