First Federal Credit Union opens temporary office after destructive fire

CEDAR RAPIDS - After sustaining significant damage in a fire earlier this month at its Westdale branch, First Federal Credit Union says it is back in business.

The branch has reopened in a temporary facility at 3810 Westdale Pkwy. SW while the brick-and-mortar office is repaired, according to a news release.

Restoration of the permanent office is estimated to take four to six months.

'We are now able to provide full services to our members at our Westdale office,” said CEO Tom Chalstrom.

'While we are disappointed that we will have to completely restore the interior of our office, we are committed to meeting the needs of our members through our temporary facility.”

According to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, an automatic commercial alarm at 3:38 a.m. June 6 alerted dispatchers, who sent firefighters to the credit union.

Firefighters discovered smoke in the building and upgraded the alarm for more resources, according to a news release.

The Westdale branch originally opened in November 2017 as part of the newly developed Westdale regional shopping center at Williams Boulevard and Westdale Drive SW.

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