Smulekoff’s warehouse to become office space

CEDAR RAPIDS - The former warehouse for Smulekoff's furniture store is expected to turn into office space.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday awarded $500,000 in tax credits to SLE Investments, the company of Cedar Rapids developer Steve Emerson, for the renovation of the warehouse, 411 Sixth Ave. SE.

Four stories of the former 75,880-square-foot warehouse will be turned into open office space 'highlighting the concrete columns and exposed structure,” according to a project description provided to the authority.

The site also will have resurfaced parking and a patio, according to a release from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

Emerson could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

In addition to the warehouse, Emerson owns a number of properties in downtown Cedar Rapids. He also is renovating the former Smulekoff's furniture store at First Street SE and Third Avenue SE into retail, office and apartment space.

The Smulekoff's award was one of seven provided to projects in Cedar Rapids and Marion. Overall, the seven projects received a total of $3.5 million.

The authority made the awards from its Redevelopment Tax Credit, which provides funding to rehabilitate abandoned or idled buildings and commercial sites.

Skogman Construction received $750,000 for a proposed project in the 400 block of First Avenue SE downtown. Skogman President Chris Skogman declined to comment Friday, citing the project was in early stages and noted there are several possibilities for the site.

One possibility includes the removal of three buildings in the 400 block, including the Bever Building, 417 First Ave., and the two structures directly northeast. A new three-story office building made of steel, brick and glass would replace them, according to a description given to the economic development authority.

The other projects awarded funding include:

' ArtTech Village, $800,000 - The construction of a new $30 million mixed-use building in the NewBo neighborhood

' Knutson Building, $278,565 - A conversion of a former industrial building on the west bank of the Cedar River into 18 apartments

' Sixth Street project, $77,640 - A proposed retail strip anchored by a Subway sandwich shop at 1400 Sixth St. SW

' Marion Iron, $750,000 - Construction of a new office and medical services building at 2700 Seventh Ave. in Marion

' Dows Building, $400,000 - Redevelopment of the upper five floors of the downtown Cedar Rapids office building, 200 Second Ave. SE, into housing.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; matthew.patane@thegazette.com