Who does C.R. council’s downtown vision serve?

For ad infinitum, the City Council has been harping on our downtown as being one of the keys to our rejuvenation. For this to finally come to fruition, everything that affects downtown, especially when it is adversely, must be carefully thought out. This means, of course, that easy access to and from downtown is a necessary adjunct to achieving this goal. Many want this access: residents, workers, visitors, shoppers and those seeking service and entertainment. All of these participants must be mollified, not irritated, in order that this goal is reached.

Keeping as much traffic as possible off First Avenue East is extremely important. Closing Second Avenue East and perhaps fooling around with Third Avenue East can only add to the First Avenue traffic problems. Is the Council's stated desire to load more traffic on First Avenue just another example of politicians catering to the elite and vested interests to the detriment of the whole community?

Six generations of Kubiceks, three before me and two after me, have lived and worked here in Cedar Rapids. At age 90, I am not likely to suffer much from poor planning, but I still hope that the City Council will rethink their stated intentions.

Ted Kubicek

Cedar Rapids