Museum owns 5 other buildings in Czech Village, too

CEDAR RAPIDS - The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library's expanded building, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, is not the only property owned by the museum in Czech Village.

President and CEO Gail Naughton said the museum purchased the Joens Bros./Kuncl Mall building, 59 16th Ave. SW, this spring. The building, with 70-linear feet of storefront, could have been demolished had it gone through the city's flood buyout program, with an uncertain chance of rebuilding on the site, she said.

Museum officials hope to sell or lease the space.

The Kosek Building, 87 16th Ave. SW, will remain under the museum's umbrella. Naughton said the museum hopes to lease out the second-floor office space, while the lower-level flood exhibit will remain open.

The Sleger immigrant home was relocated next to the museum and will be open for tours.

At one end of Czech Village, the former Hurych building, 39 16th Ave. SW, will be remodeled and leased out.

Naughton said the Babi Buresh Center, 77 16th Ave. SW, will be the museum's final major project. The museum plans to restore the building within the year.