116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids’ Tree of Five Seasons monument will move for flood control project
Tree sculpture moving closer to First Street NE, making way for flood wall
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Tree of Five Seasons monument near City Hall will be moved a short distance this spring as part of Cedar Rapids’ permanent flood control system construction.
While weather may play a factor in exactly when the monument is moved, project managers are targeting a late May timeline for moving it approximately 80 feet east of the current location on the east bank of the Cedar River, closer to First Street NE.
Additional site work such as grading is needed before the monument is moved. New footings also are needed for the monument at its new location, Assistant Public Works Director Brenna Fall said in a statement.
The Tree of Five Seasons will remain on site, staying in its current spot until crews are ready to move it directly to its final position. The sculpture will be elevated and realigned to accommodate a flood wall as a segment of the city’s $750 million permanent flood protection system.
There will be no additional traffic impacts when the monument is moved. A crane will be used and contained within the current construction area. However, First Street NE will continue to be reduced to one lane during overall project construction.
The monument, built in the 1990s, is a representation of the city’s logo representing the “City of Five Seasons” — the fifth season being time to enjoy life and find beauty in every day.
In 1968, Chamber of Commerce publicity chair E.W. “Bill” Munsell had to come up with a promotional idea to attract new residents to the city, The Gazette previously reported. He was executive vice president of the firm Creswell, Munsell, Schubert & Zirbel. Munsell — together with the firm’s art director Gary Anderson and writer Ron Howes — came up with the City of Five Seasons slogan and the tree logo.
Fall said the overall project near First Avenue and First Street NE costs $30 million.
In addition to transplanting the monument, this project will build a permanent full-height flood wall from First Avenue to Interstate 380 with an elevated park allowing views of the river and shielding the flood wall from view.
It includes construction of a $10 million pump station at A Avenue NE, as well as roller gate installation at E and F avenues underneath I-380. Sidewalk reconstruction and site restoration also are covered in this project.
Flood Control System Program Manager Rob Davis has said a bike trail along the park at First Street NE will add a connection running under I-380 from the west side to the east side, running on the banks of both sides of the Cedar River. The park also eventually will have new landscaping and tree plantings.
Other flood control projects have finished nearby recently. Work wrapped up last year on a roller floodgate at First Avenue East, similar to the 16th Avenue SE roller gate. During flood events, the $4.125 million Army Corps roller gate will roll across the road, close and lock into place to keep water out. It is 12 feet high, 82 feet long and weighs 57,000 pounds.
Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com
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