Cedar Rapids begins talking about city hall repairs

There's still no commitment to return any Cedar Rapids city offices to the flood-damaged Veterans Memorial Building downtown. But the city is apparently ready to finally talk about the repair process.

The Veterans Memorial Commission discussed some of the details at a commission meeting Monday afternoon. Members of the Cedar Rapids City Council should hear similar details at the council meeting on Tuesday. And the city's flood recovery director expects to see actual construction starting sometime in the spring.

The Veterans Memorial Commission oversees operation of the building better known as city hall. And commissioners say it's possible to start some of the repair and renovation work even without knowing the eventual re-use of the building.

The first repair work would probably start with things that could flood proof the building for the future. That includes relocating electrical switching equipment, boilers and other utilities from the basement area that flooded to an upper floor.

The commission would probably limit repairs to lower levels to support activities that could easily move in case of high water again.

Many of the details will come much later, but for commission chairman Peter Welch, just talking about doing something is a real thrill.

"It's the first step the city has taken as a re-commitment to the building and that is making the Veterans Commission very happy," Welch said.

The first step, presented to the commission Monday afternoon, is to go over the recently completed FEMA agreement to explain what repairs the disaster agency will cover inside the Veterans Memorial Building.

The commission also heard how the city plans to find an architect and project manager to handle the work. Greg Eyerly, Cedar Rapids Flood Recovery Director, said now is a great time to get some of the preliminary repair plans in place every before deciding the eventual fate of city hall.

"They have to go through some design work. I think winter's a great time to do that--go ahead and do that design work and you'll see actual physical work in the spring," Eyerly said.

Veterans Memorial Commission members may not yet know what the future holds for the building itself. But members say they're ready to get started and what was discussed Monday is at least a small step forward.

Dave Franzman, KCRG-TV