Cedar Rapidians need excitement again

I certainly hope a flood plain rule like that passed by the Cedar Falls City Council is a long way off for Cedar Rapids and Linn County. Without creative minds (an area in which local government, at least, seems deficient) and extraordinary expense, it would be difficult to make built-up homes look natural.

The response of government at all levels to the flood of 2008 was and is a disaster of its own making. Locally, no matter how many consultants are hired or surveys conducted, in the end not everything will be done perfectly. We don't expect that everything will be done perfectly, but we do expect elected leaders to actually do something.

It is unfortunate the new federal courthouse was allowed to be built along the Cedar River and houses in the 500-year flood plain rebuilt until a course of action was decided. More floods will be coming and as much as possible of the 500-year flood plain should be converted to green space. Forbid additional construction to the more permanent features. Build every sort of warm and cold weather recreational facility that is feasible, including golf courses, ball parks, playgrounds and trails. Build an amphitheater and use swivel seats so the facility could be used to view activities on the river.

Cedar Rapids might become a center of recreation. Local government needs to get people excited about being Cedar Rapidians and residents of Linn County again.

Alvin Cummings

Walker