Cedar Rapids seeking proposals for Ambroz building for fourth time

CEDAR RAPIDS — The fourth time may be the charm to redevelop the building that once housed the Ambroz Recreation Center.

After three failed attempts to sell and repurpose the old brick building at 2000 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, the city of Cedar Rapids will take redevelopment proposals once more after receiving an inquiry from a developer.

The approximately 18,700-square-foot building has been closed since 2016 when the city parks and recreation department moved to the new Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11th St. NW.

Most of Ambroz was built in 1903 to house Buchanan Elementary, with an addition made in 1962. The city acquired the building in 1975.

“I just think old is old, and this is one of those places where we happen to land right now,” City Council member Ann Poe said. “It’s not like we haven’t tried, so I’m all about this.”

In 2017, the one proposal the city received was later withdrawn. In April 2019, the city sought proposals again and received two. The City Council selected one — to turn the building into senior housing — and authorized negotiation of a development agreement.

The proposal was withdrawn because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Assistant Community Development Director Adam Lindenlaub told the council’s Development Committee.

Last year, Linn County received nearly $38 million in Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds, funneled through the state, toward recovery of 2020 derecho-damaged housing stock. That prompted another redevelopment attempt.

With those funds on their way, city officials in August 2022 issued a third request for proposals. They hoped prospective developers could tap into that funding source to help redevelop the 1.5-acre Ambroz site, with the same objectives as before:

• Advance a financially viable redevelopment based on current market conditions.

• Encourage investment along the Mount Vernon Road corridor.

• Keep a unique sense of place through renovation or new construction.

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Council member Ashley Vanorny said the previous attempts show it’s not as simple as just handing a building over to the city to repurpose.

“When you’re not investing in these properties, they become dilapidated eyesores,” Vanorny said. “This was once a really lovely building that needs some love, needs some TLC to get back to its former days. …

“I really hope that we can find some creative ways to finally get this project and give that neighborhood a product back into their community that they can use instead of having it sit vacant.”

The council is slated to set a public hearing on the project for noon Feb. 13 at City Hall, 101 First St. SE. Proposals would be due March 15 and come to the council for consideration this spring.

If any proposals arrive, staff would negotiate a development agreement this summer and bring it back to the council for approval.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com