Grand Living senior living complex seeks city support

CEDAR RAPIDS - A proposal to build a $32 million, four-story senior living center received a nod of support Tuesday from the Cedar Rapids City Council.

The council approved a resolution allowing staff from the city's Community Development Department to further explore granting a tax break to the developers of the 164-unit Grand Living complex. The facility, which would be located at First Avenue and Collins Road SE - just south of Slumberland at 215 Collins Road SE - would employ 85 full-time workers and fill a void in senior living units in Cedar Rapids, according to city officials.

Eric Anderson, vice president of development for senior centers for Ryan Companies US, said Grand Living would offer a variety of dining options, plus a wellness center, spa, salon, library, chapel, art and exercise studio, pet grooming center, offices for rotating medical providers and a performance theater for the arts.

Construction of a similar Grand Living complex, offering independent senior living, assisted senior living and memory care services, is to begin this fall in Iowa City.

Based in Excelsior, Minn., Ryan Companies is seeking a 50-percent tax abatement over four years, a total of about $727,000, according to city officials. Grand Living would be built on 14.5 acres owned by the Indian Creek Nature Center. That land is currently exempt from property taxes. City officials estimate the facility would generate approximately $4.5 million in new taxes over a 10-year period based on a projected assessed value of $18.1 million.

'It was land that was gifted to the nature center by a donor who wanted us to sell it commercially in order to generate money for our endowment to support our mission,” said John Myers executive director for the nature center. The property that was purchased for Grand Living has a small sliver of a protected tree easement, which drew caution from City Council members.

'My only concern was to make double sure that with the conservation area right next to the ground, that they take all the measures to not harm that in anyway,” said Scott Overland of District 2, where the project would be built. 'Other than that, I think it is a wonderful project.”

Myers said Indian Creek officials have 'worked extensively with the city of Cedar Rapids to make sure we would protect the backside of the property”.

Tuesday's action gives the go-ahead to city staff to initiate proceedings to establish an Urban Renewal Area for the development. Caleb Mason, the city's economic development analyst said city staffers are to determine if the project is consistent with the city's urban renewal plan and comprehensive plan. They plan on reporting back to the council May 24.

It may take two to three months for the project to be greenlighted, he added.

Anderson said it is very important to Ryan Companies officials that Grand Living become connected with the community.

'It will have a 150-seat performance center and we will reach out to high schools and colleges to bring in programs and will have the seniors participate in them,” he said. 'This isn't going to be a building that sits by itself. It is going to be partnered with the rest of the community.”