You just finish what you start

By Clint Twedt-Ball

Finish what you start. It is a simple, responsible rule for communities.

During July of 2009, many of us stood on the steps and in the yard of Katie and Andrew Sandquist's house on Eighth Street NW in Cedar Rapids. On that sun-filled day, we talked about the audacious goals of Block by Block to develop a solution for every property on the flooded block.

We said that seeing children ride bikes next to abandoned houses and holes in the ground, where houses used to be, motivated our group. I talked about my nieces and how they used to walk to Harrison Elementary with a gaggle of kids joining them on their way to school. Now they walked alone.

On that day, Block by Block announced a goal to finish the hard work that the city and residents on eight blocks had begun. We understood how tired and frustrated they were and that three organizations, Matthew 25, Four Oaks' Affordable Housing Network and the United Methodist Church, were committed to joining with them. Block by Block would follow their lead and get people back into their homes. Residents later responded to us positively at City Council meetings and talked about the constructive outcomes and great partnership.

The last 10 months have been a blur. We have organized residents on 19 blocks already and will have developed and implemented solutions for 20 to 24 blocks by the end of this year.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported Block by Block - homeowners who have allowed us to work on their most sacred possessions, volunteers from churches and businesses who have traveled from all over the country to support our efforts, and funders who have put their trust in us to work quickly, skillfully and safely, always with their best interests in mind.

The city council, city staff, Iowa Finance Authority, Rebuild Iowa Office and state legislators also have supported Block by Block.

In any project, there are bumps in the road. Most recently, there was an issue surrounding asbestos testing. Thanks to the extra efforts of staff, Advanced Thermal Concepts and the Department of Natural Resources, we are back on schedule.

We recognize the true value of Block by Block has been the way it draws people together and gives hope to the community.

Block by Block's success in bringing back residents of flood-impacted neighborhoods has been dramatic, but it is not complete. On many blocks, we have reached the end of what we can do for property owners. Now, we need the City Council's help to completely finish these blocks. We need a plan that moves swiftly on buyouts and prioritizes getting those buyouts into the hands of non-profits such as Block by Block that can put in place a plan for each and every property on the block. And we need help from local volunteers to keep moving forward this construction season.

It is my hope, and the hope of all Block by Block participants, to do everything we can and bring these residents back home in the safest, most environmentally friendly, affordable way possible. We will continue to finish what we have started.

Clint Twedt-Ball is the Program Administrator for Block by Block (www.blockbyblockcr.org). He is also co-founder and co-executive director of the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub, one of the partner organizations of Block by Block. Contact him at (319) 350-2252.