Removable 'parklets' debut in downtown Cedar Rapids

City officials and some local businesses are hoping to make sidewalks downtown along Third Street in Cedar Rapids a little livelier.

The city began installing removable platforms – known as "parklets" – this week outside of Zins restaurant, 227 Second Ave., and the Theatre Cedar Rapids building, 102 Third St.  Officials and businesses said they hope the new additions will draw more people downtown.

City Planner Seth Gunnerson said business owners expressed interest to city officials last year about sidewalk cafes, but narrow sidewalks and not enough space posed a problem.

“This is an attempt to try and create that space and to try and increase more opportunity for this to happen,” Gunnerson said.

At $15,000 apiece, the removable platforms, measuring 20 feet by eight feet, fit inside a parallel parking spot. Each has six planters and wire fence around the exterior to separate pedestrians from traffic. The city purchased four parklets.

Rob Davis, Cedar Rapids' engineering manager, said officials see this summer as a testing phase for the platforms and will review future plans for them in the fall. He said the city doesn't foresee any trouble removing them when the weather gets chillier, but are still figuring out ways to make components, like the heavy planters, more easily removable.

City officials said the program is an effort to enhance the area between the US Cellular Center and New Bohemia.

Chris Miller, Zins restaurant and catering manager, said he's been looking forward to the opportunity to provide an outdoor option for patrons and hopes it will draw more people.

“I think it'll be a more inviting, casual atmosphere,” Miller said.

Gunnerson said other communities across the country are finding ways to develop similar outside platforms.  He said the city looked at several options and found parklets were the cheapest option.

Along with the parklets, the city is also placing 12 planters in the Third Street median between First and Fourth Avenues to create a more pedestrian-friendly pathway, according to a city news release.

“With all of the other things going on downtown, businesses opening up in the last couples of years and more activity downtown…hopefully this is something that will compliment that,” Gunnerson said of the parklet project.