HD Youth Center project hits a snag

A project to restore a popular before and after school stop for kids in Cedar Rapids has run into some temporary snags.

The HD Youth Center is renovating an old Laundromat at 1445 Mount Vernon Rd. SE to replace the building at 1006 Third St. SE lost to the flood of 2008.

Work began on the project in early March.

But founder Henry Davison said the trade union volunteers who are working to renovate the building haven't done anything at the site in more than a month.

One organizer said work had to stop for the moment because building officials haven't approved all the permits needed for heating, cooling and plumbing changes. Volunteers have finished everything they can up to the point they could keep working.

Davison said he hopes the crews start again on the job soon-but he's getting tired of telling everyone he doesn't know when he'll open now.

“Everybody wants to know, when are you going to open that place up Henry? I don't know I don't have the answers to that,” Davison said.

Davison also doesn't know yet how he'll find the remaining funds to finish the project.

He estimates he still needs another $50,000 to $60,000 to complete the purchase of the old Laundromat and buy the materials for the renovation.

Davison said he's planning a campaign next week to appeal for funding.