Workers tearing down former Swiss Valley Farms, Norwood Souvenir buildings

Two of the largest remaining flood-damaged buildings in Cedar Rapids will start coming down this week.

Starting today (Monday), crews will begin tearing down the former Swiss Valley Farms building at 133 F Ave NW and the former Norwood Souvenir building at 202 F Ave NW. A demolition contract for both projects was awarded to D.W. Zinser for $274,000.

Since the 2008 flood, 1,082 residential structures, 538 accessory structures and 73 commercial properties have been demolished.

“With the acquisition process, everything we get through the community block grant, it just takes time,” said Cedar Rapids flood recovery program manager John Riggs.

The Swiss Valley and Norwood properties were acquired by the city through the buyout program, which means federal dollars will pay for the demolition. Before the flood, more than 200 people worked at the two F Avenue businesses. Water overcame much of the equipment, forcing the companies to leave. Since then, the buildings have been sitting near the river crumbling.

Demolition crews will separate the steel, concrete and brick, with a goal of recycling as much as possible. Bringing down the two buildings will create a big scene.

A demolition crew started on the project Monday morning. No road closures are expected. The work could last until the end of November.