Marty Hoeger to run for first district City Council seat

CEDAR RAPIDS - A nonprofit developer has announced plans to run for a Cedar Rapids City Council seat in the first district.

Marty Hoeger, 44, who lives in the northeast quadrant, said among his highest priorities is seeing through the rebound of the Ellis Boulevard NW corridor and completing a trail connection along Edgewood Road NW from Glass Road NE to Ellis.

He said he would bring a younger perspective to City Council more in tune with the needs of people in their 20s and 30s. That would help making decisions appealing to the younger demographic city leaders want to establish roots here, he said.

'I feel like some of my ideas may seem crazy to someone who is 65 - ‘There's no way we could do that' - but it might appeal to someone who's 35,” Hoeger said.

Hoeger attended LaSalle High School and took classes at Kirkwood Community College.

Early in his career he worked in commercial and residential real estate, and has been president of the nonprofit Neighborhood Development Corp. since 2010. The organization redevelops abandoned or rundown properties in low and moderate income areas.

Hoeger was a founding owner of the Sag Wagon Deli and Brew, 827 Shaver Road NE, which is adjacent to Cedar Lake and on the bike trail. It was one of the first investments in that area after the flood and also one of the first in a wave of bike-themed restaurants in Cedar Rapids.

Hoeger recently sold his share of the establishment, but said he remains committed to revitalization of that area, including the Cedar Lake restoration.

'That lake needs to be something we hold up and say this is something we are proud of,” Hoeger said.

Hoeger has been active as a volunteer and founded the 'I Know Jack Foundation,” which is a nonprofit supporting cancer patients in the area. The foundation was started in honor of his son, who is in remission.  

'I feel passion for Cedar Rapids and figuring out how to get people staying here and more people to move here,” Hoeger said. 'I think I can help making decisions that will help shape Cedar Rapids for years to come.”

The first district seat is an open contest. Existing representative Kris Gulick has announced he will not seek re-election and instead is running for mayor.

The candidate filing period is Aug. 28 to Sept. 21, and the election is on Nov. 7.

l Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@thegazette.com