Turn-of-the-century building to be demolished to make way for medical district

One of the buildings preservationists had hoped to save in the proposed medical district will be demolished.

Wicker Hill Tea Room, 1038 Third Ave. SE, is one of at least seven properties being purchased to make way for Physicians' Clinic of Iowa's planned medical mall.

The Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, which makes recommendations to the City Council, hoped to find someone to move the building, but tonight unanimously voted to approve the demolition application.

No inventory was available to show that the building housing the tea room and antiques store was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, commission member Amanda McKnight said.

She said changes made to the structure, built in 1900, lost its historic integrity.

That historic designation is significant; nearly half of moving and rehabilitation costs can be recouped in the form of tax credits for historical buildings.

The commission asked for more information before approving the demolition application for the Young Parents Network building, 205 12th St. SE. The Dutch Colonial was built in 1920.

Demolition applications for two newer commercial buildings have already been approved.

Three buildings with pending demolition applications have been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

One or two developers have expressed interest in moving the 1930-built Roman Apartments, 1115 Second Ave. SE; the Ellinor, a 12-plex built in 1910 at 1040 Third Ave. SE; and a home-turned-office at 1113 Second Ave. SE.

Built in 1915, the Arts and Crafts-style home has five fireplaces, built-in bookcases, oak woodwork and original tiles.