Government Notes: Cedar Rapids’ ‘Muskwaki’ Building redevelopment receives $2.17 million boost

The Iowa Economic Development Authority last week awarded $2.165 million toward local developer Steve Emerson’s redevelopment of the old Dragon Building on the Guaranty Bank block.

The award was part of more than $19 million allocated to transform 12 historic buildings across Iowa through the state’s historic preservation tax credit program.

The three-story brick building at 329 Second Ave. SE is where the Dragon Restaurant — long Cedar Rapids’ only Chinese restaurant — was located for 55 years. It most recently held the Hazzard County saloon until the business moved across the street in 2018.

The 14,400-square-foot commercial building is slated to be transformed into 13 apartments on the second and third floors: five studio, seven one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. The first-floor commercial space would be taken up by a tenant who provides fitness coaching, Emerson has said.

The project will honor the building’s history. The spelling of the building’s name has varied over the years, but records show it was referred to for the longest period as the “Muskwaki” building, which became its historical name. It was built in 1897 by Ben Heins and designed by W.A. Fulkerson, who wanted to honor the Meskwaki Native American tribe.

“By supporting the restoration and revitalization of historic buildings, we not only preserve the architectural heritage of our communities but also breathe new life into them, creating vibrant spaces for generations to come,” Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority, said in a news release.

The tax credits support projects that rehabilitate underused or vacant historic buildings while maintaining their historic features. Work completed on buildings must meet the federal Secretary of Interior Standards.

The most recent application round opened in January. IEDA received 13 applications seeking more than $37 million in tax credits. Projects are scored based on readiness, financing and local support and participation.

Waterway cleanup causing temporary trail detours

City of Cedar Rapids crews will remove 2020 derecho debris from wooded areas near McLoud Run and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail between May 6 and July 15. Damaged and fallen vegetative materials will be cleared from approximately 21 acres of waterways and flood plains.

Trail detours at J Avenue and 29th Street, and McLoud Place and 42nd Street NE, will occur at different times through the duration of the project. Trail users will be notified of closures and details through signage before construction.

Iowa City Council, commission to discuss City Park Pool

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The Iowa City Council and the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission will meet for a work session Tuesday to discuss the results of a survey regarding the future of City Park Pool. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in Emma Harvat Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

The agenda includes receipt of a report from the project consultant team about community input results and project recommendations.

The Iowa City Council voted last year to replace the “iconic” 76-year-old pool for reasons that include water loss, accessibility, health and safety, and sustainability. The city and its consultants have solicited input on four pool designs from the public. More than 1,000 people completed a survey, the results of which will be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.

The meeting is open to the public; however, public comment is not permitted during work sessions. The council will select a preferred concept at a later date. The selected concept design will be further refined before bidding to incorporate any additional direction from the city council, such as design elements, budget considerations and unknown site conditions.

Construction on the pool is slated to begin in August, lasting through 2026. The pool would be closed in 2025.

Additional information, including the four pool designs, can be found online at icgov.org/jumpin.

Marion to host Migratory Bird and Arbor Day celebration

Marion’s Migratory Bird and Arbor Day Celebration is planned from noon-3 p.m. Saturday at Thomas Park.

Activities include guided bird hikes, tree climbing demonstrations, a live raptor presentation and a monarch biotent with live butterflies. There will be informational displays, handcrafted wood items for sale and make-and-take crafts. Find the full schedule at www.cityofmarion.org/birdfriendly.

Outdoor movies returning to Marion neighborhood parks

The Marion Parks and Recreation Department and ImOn Communications announced the Movies on the Move series will return.

An outdoor movie will be shown one Friday per month in June, July and August at select neighborhood parks in Marion. The 2024 season includes:

This is separate from the “Moonlit Movies” series sponsored by Hills Bank at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park. Three outdoor movie nights are planned on Fridays including:

There, inflatables will be available each evening starting at 7 p.m. and face painting will be offered for a fee. The feature presentation will begin around 8 p.m. Outside food and drink are allowed but snack vendors will be on-site during each event.

Foundation for the Iowa City Community School District announces grant recipients

The Foundation for the Iowa City Community School District announced 29 winners of its competitive grant process called Big Idea Hunt, awarding more than $75,000 in grants for the 2024-25 school year.

The grant process is designed to foster innovation and collaboration across the Iowa City Community School District. The grants are funded by “generous community giving,” and are “instrumental in driving excellence in student learning” within the school district, according to a news release from the Foundation.

Among the 29 winners, a few highlighted projects include:

"We are incredibly proud to support this year's Big Idea Hunt winners," said Laura Ebinger, executive director at the Foundation for the Iowa City Community School District. "These projects exemplify the creativity, innovation and commitment to excellence that define our District. We are so fortunate to have incredible educators who are always seeking out ways to improve student learning. We look forward to seeing the impact these initiatives will have on student learning across our District."

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Grace King contribute.