Let's re-purpose Westdale Mall

Cedar Rapids is my hometown and I remember when the Westdale Mall was built and was the mall to go to in Cedar Rapids.

Times have changed, the flood of 2008 was a huge setback to this city and we are still recovering four years later.

I thought I would share my ideas about possibilities to re-purpose the Westdale Mall building.

Turn it into a recreation center with swimming pool, basketball courts and an indoor walking track (people already walk there now) - similar to the recreation center in North Liberty.

Keep Younkers/PC Penney/Chick-fil-A.

Add a coffee shop, a deli and a Barnes & Noble.

Put back city offices (convenience parking) and keep the (secondary location) public library. Add a senior center and a youth center.

Remodel/update as appropriate.

Fund it from the City of Cedar Rapids and/or private donation. Do not rent space as this chased out previous businesses.

I compare our city to Des Moines, Coralville/Iowa City, Waterloo and Dubuque and want our city to make positive changes to attract new families and keep our population from shrinking. We need to think “outside the box” and bring back our city back to the limelight so we all can be proud to say “I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.”

Lynda Haddy

Cedar Rapids