Proposed medical mall would be win/win

I add my vote to the closing of Second Avenue (for the proposed Medical Mall). At present, Second Avenue serves no other purpose than to get traffic from one side of town to the other as quickly as the traffic will allow. Second Avenue goes only from 19th Street SE to approximately 13th Street SW without interruptions. There is nothing to stop for in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Upon the closing of this not so thorough “thoroughfare,” perhaps someone will consider the development of a pedestrian mall such as Iowa City has developed and return some stores and other activities back to downtown.

Development of this proposed medical complex is a vital initiative that will bring better-paying jobs, highly educated professionals and an increase to our tax base as long as it does not become a “not for profit” entity.

The community also would attract people from other areas of the state/country. They would be spending on food, lodging, clothing, transportation, etc.

I see this as a win/win for all of us.

Our medical community already has expertise in multiple areas, two great hospitals, medical schools, nursing schools and other medical educational facilities, but what we are lacking is the name to define it.

Consider the ramifications of allowing this entity to be delivered to another area because we were too self-centered to be inconvenienced by the closing of Second Avenue.

Janet D. Blackledge

Cedar Rapids