C.R. should embrace Penford

By Gary C. Young

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Cedar Rapids and the City Council should be thankful that a “high technology” company such as Penford wants to expand by purchasing Riverside Park. Penford is landlocked and needs the space.

With Penford projecting to add between 20 and 50 manufacturing jobs, this fact should have put it on a fast track with the City Council for approval. Time is money and the City Council should behave more responsibly.

The City Council slowed down the process it uses to dispose of public property, thereby giving Penford and any other entities until sometime in March to submit proposals to buy the park. “Other entities” implies opportunism by others whereas Penford clearly has an economic business interest in the property. Penford's business plan also is of positive economic benefit to the City. Any other entity implies Cedar Rapids is just another “good old boy system.”

As for concerns about a variety of noises and smells, these problems can be addressed by engineers and chemists. Also, there are plenty of state regulations that address these issues and companies like Penford must comply with them.

A list of demands for Penford from the City Council stated that Penford would need to “provide big-time buffers” between it and the Czech museum, a trail along its riverfront that reached out over the Cedar River, “big-time scrubbers” to scrub odor from the plant, and a prettier plant facade. Why should high-technology companies come to Cedar Rapids when they are greeted by such business repellents? Why are other parties placing such demands upon Penford?

Supported by the City Council, such demands force projects to be done at Penford's expense. It seems best that Penford deal directly with the local Czech area residents. Community improvements would be a cooperative venture.

The City Council should donate the park to Penford for it adds an additional tax base to the city, promotes job creation and demonstrates a pro-business image for Cedar Rapids.

I know from experience what can and needs to be done by process industries. The city needs to embrace and work with industry and present a pro-business attitude, not drive out manufacturers.

Penford is an important segment of our manufacturing base. The City Council should “give” the park land to Penford so the company can spend money saved to work with the Czech Village to enhance the local area for the benefit of all.

Gary C. Young of Cedar Rapids is a chemical engineer with more than 40 years of experience in research, development, economic assessment and commercialization of industrial processes. He has operated his own consulting engineering company for 15 years. Comments: gycoinc@aol.com