Cedar Rapids City Council signals early support to rezone former Garfield Elementary site

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids City Council has signaled early intent to rezone the land around a former elementary school for an upcoming apartment development.

The council on Tuesday held a public hearing on the project planned for the former Garfield Elementary School and voted 8-0 to approve the rezoning’s first reading. Two additional readings are needed for the change to take effect.

Developer Steve Emerson last year bought the property — located at 1201 Maplewood Dr. NE — from the Cedar Rapids Community School District for $160,000. He intends to renovate the building into 30 market-rate apartments.

“I think this is a great story,” council member Ashley Vanorny said ahead of Tuesday’s vote. It seems ”an appropriate use in a very residential area to have more residences there, so I’m excited that this is coming through.”

Overall project investment is estimated at $12 million to $14 million, and Emerson currently is seeking historic restoration tax credits to help support the project. Pending that request, project completion is expected by late 2026.

The project will create 10 one-bedroom apartments and 20 two-bedroom apartments. Two units will be provided for free to school district employees or to those affiliated with the district such as student teachers, per the terms of the sale agreement.

Emerson told The Gazette that the exterior of the building — constructed in 1914 — is expected to remain the same with the interior layout being largely defined by the boundaries of the former classrooms.

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He also intends to maintain some of the building’s original woodwork and cabinetry, where possible.

“It is a historic restoration, so as far as ... an impact to the neighborhood, there’s going to be minimal visual impact,” he said. “When it’s done, there’ll be 30 apartments in there, so it’ll also be a lot less traffic than when it was a school.”

The school district sold the Garfield building to Emerson last year after it was identified alongside Arthur Elementary for replacement due to its age and cost of upkeep. The Arthur building at 2630 B Ave. NE is now the headquarters for Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, a local arts nonprofit.

Students from both Arthur and Garfield now attend the newly constructed Trailside Elementary School at 320 27th St. NE.

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