Only a few will benefit from Medical Mall

Regarding two Aug. 8 articles, “CR has incentives in mind for PCI project” and (Gazette Editorial) “Medical mall worth closing a street”: I can only conclude that our city council and Gazette editorial staff have been smoking medical marijuana.

We will inconvenience thousands of drivers who take Second Avenue downtown to increase market share for professionals who are doing pretty well already. Some of that share will come at the expense of our hospitals as doctors use the newest equipment at Physicians' Clinic of Iowa instead of last year's model at the hospital. For this, PCI will retain 400 jobs and add 100 more within five years.

And this is good for all of us in Cedar Rapids because those patients are going to shop after their medical appointments?

I was about to swallow this medicine when I realized that our tax dollars are proposed not only to close Second Avenue

and convert other

streets, but to build an

$8 million parking ramp and (effectively) abate PCI's property taxes. The tax subsidies will improve profits for a private business caring for patients who have insurance. The rest will still be hobbling into the free clinics.

If the taxpayers are to donate millions to PCI, I would like to see PCI donate it back in the form of free care for the uninsured. Maybe the Council can wake from their pipe dreams with a project to help more than just a few.

Kris Davis

Cedar Rapids