Medical mall will help revitalize downtown

The Physicians' Clinic of Iowa plans to build a new facility. It appears not to be a question of “if” or “when,” but, rather, “where.” One alternative it has is Hiawatha, and there are some good reasons to go there. The leadership of Cedar Rapids needs to encourage PCI to build near downtown.

Here are two reasons:

1. A PCI building would pay its property taxes, possibly a million dollars, to Cedar Rapids. We need the money. I am not aware of any other large project on any drawing boards that will enhance city coffers like a PCI clinic will.

2. Downtown Cedar Rapids needs new buildings and new businesses if it is to stave off rot. The flood merely hastened the decline of downtown, a decline in progress for many years. A PCI clinic, even if built a few blocks from downtown, would encourage revitalization by attracting new businesses and shops and perhaps even encourage residential development in that area.

It might be necessary to close Second Avenue. Change and progress come at a price. But unless PCI, or something of similar scale, arises, there is a good chance our downtown will continue its downward slide.

Ron Sundermann

Cedar Rapids