FEMA funds might be used to save Sinclair smokestake

Cedar Rapids flood recovery director Greg Eyerly will see if some of the $21 million in federal funds coming for the flood-damaged Sinclair plant could go toward saving the site's smokestack.

Eyerly noted at a meeting this morning with the city's Historic Preservation Commission that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will deduct 10 percent of those funds, or about $2 million, because the money isn't going back into the former meatpacking plant.

Demolition of the flood- and fire-damaged plant at 1600 Third St. SE is underway.

That leaves about $18 million for alternative projects. The city is deciding what projects that money will go to.

Eyerly said he will check today to see if FEMA would agree not to deduct that $2 million if the money would go directly back to Sinclair in the form of preserving the iconic smokestack.

Commission chairwoman Maura Pilcher presented the group's smokestack preservation plans to Mayor Ron Corbett and council members Chuck Wieneke, Chuck Swore and Justin Shields.

Pilcher called the 160-foot-tall smokestack an iconic symbol of the city's industrial history.

She noted that FEMA will pay up to $250,000 in mitigation funds that could be used toward stabilizing the structure.

That money cannot be used for flood recovery and must go toward a preservation project, Pilcher said.

Stabilization could range from about $80,000 to $508,000, with full restoration – restoring a 13-foot portion that had been removed – costing another $300,000 or so.

The commission needs to get the council's approval to proceed before it starts any private fundraising, Pilcher said.

Corbett said the issue will go on Tuesday's council agenda.

Swore questioned what would happen if a developer wanted to buy the site, but didn't want the smokestack to remain.

“At this point, I cannot imagine that the smokestack will be the major hindrance to putting up housing,” Pilcher said.

She presented slides of smokestacks that have been used as anchors to developments in Oregon, California and North Carolina.

Wieneke objected to Eyerly trying to “play games” with FEMA money.

Swore said finding out if FEMA would put funding toward the smokestack is “a positive attitude.”

“Positive attitude to you; game to me,” Wieneke answered.

The commission had hoped to present their plans at a regular City Council meeting.

Corbett said he chose to have today's special meeting instead.

“Not everything can make the agenda,” he said, citing last night's 4-hour council meeting. “I'm not trying to slight the Historic Preservation Commission.”