FEMA funds for Roundhouse could go toward City Market

It's possible that federal money - to compensate the city for the flood-damaged Riverside Roundhouse - could be used as seed money for a proposed City Market.

Mayor Ron Corbett suggested that the $160,000 coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Roundhouse would be better directed to the new year-round farmers market rather than being spent on the Roundhouse.

Greg Eyerly, the city's flood-recovery director, said it's possible for FEMA disaster funds to be used for “alternative projects” if the city can't or chooses not to repair what was damaged in a disaster.

One possible complication - though Eyerly did not consider it likely - is related to the council agreeing Wednesday evening to convey the city-owned property on which the Roundhouse sits to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library at little or no cost. The property is valued at $775,000.

Sarah Ordover, board president of Cedar Rapids City Market Inc., was surprised at the prospect of FEMA funds for the proposed market, which the market's board has talked of putting in New Bohemia across the river from Czech Village.

“Oh, that will be useful. We appreciate it, and it would make sense,” she said, a reference to the use of the Roundhouse for farmers markets in the past.

Saving the Roundhouse, which sits in Czech Village, has become the goal of a Czech Village Association committee, which has proposed dismantling the building, storing it on a nearby lot and then re-erecting it as an events venue at 17th Avenue and B Street SW, a spot now occupied by flood-wrecked homes slated for demolition.

Council member Chuck Swore said he believed that volunteers and members of the local building trades would help move the Roundhouse, which was built in 1962.

Council members did not oppose the idea but said the Roundhouse had to be moved by May 11 so the museum can proceed with elevating the site and moving its flood-damaged museum there.

Corbett saluted the enthusiasm of those wanting to save the Roundhouse but wondered if it would be possible, given the deadline.

Alex Andersen, owner of Ernie's Avenue Tavern and the leader of the Czech Village Association's Save the Roundhouse Committee, and an associate were beginning to take the building apart Thursday. He thought his committee could meet the May deadline and said it didn't matter if FEMA money attached to the building goes to a new City Market.

“Our main goal is to save the Roundhouse so, hopefully, our children will be able to enjoy it for another 100 years,” Andersen said.