116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Developer delays plan for Transamerica site, saying it needs more neighborhood input
Cedar Rapids planning commissioners were to see preliminary plat Thursday
CEDAR RAPIDS — Hunter Companies has withdrawn its preliminary subdivision plat for the former Transamerica site, saying it wants to gather more neighborhood input.
“We would like the opportunity to address the neighborhood’s concerns with development before proceeding with a subdivision of the site,” Shannon Thompson, general counsel for the developer, said.
Plans for the 51-acre site on Edgewood Road NE had been scheduled to come before the City Planning Commission on Thursday afternoon
Hunter Companies is buying the land from Transamerica and pursuing a mixed-use development there.
The land, at 4333 Edgewood Rd. NE, was put up for sale in March along with Transamerica’s former offices at 4425 and 4415 N. River Blvd. NE, as part of the company’s consolidation of office space.
Neighbors created a Facebook group, 42nd and Edgewood/Save Our Neighborhood, to make their concerns known. It had 129 members as of Thursday afternoon.
Organizer Dave Watson said he thinks Hunter is a great option to develop the property but he wants the developer to work with the neighborhood.
The list of concerns include saving trees, retaining retention ponds, providing green space; and increased traffic.
Watson said Hunter’s decision to delay its preliminary plat gives the neighborhood hope.
“I really hope it can be a win-win situation. We’re hoping they want our input,” he said. “They say they do.
“I hope Hunter is thinking about what their legacy will be in Cedar Rapids. They’ve already built great commercials, but this is the first one that will tie into multiple neighborhoods. It’s a big deal, and it’s going to be a huge change.”
Hunter Companies has experience with other mixed-use developments in Cedar Rapids.
The company developed the Northtowne Market site across the street from Target on Blairs Ferry Road NE; the Berthel Fisher Financial Center; and Edgewood Station and Edgewood Market on Edgewood Road SW near Westdale Mall.
Comments: (319) 398-8255; gage.miskimen@thegazette.com
Jennifer Newman of Cedar Rapids speaks with others Thursday at the City Planning Commission meeting in Cedar Rapid City Hall. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
Debris is cleared Oct. 19 from the former Transamerica site at Edgewood Road and 42nd Street NE in Cedar Rapids. Hunter Companies is looking to proposing a mixed-use development at the 51-acre site, but on Thursday withdrew its preliminary plat, saying it wanted more neighborhood input. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Dave Watson of Cedar Rapids, who organized the Facebook group, 42nd and Edgewood/Save Our Neighborhood, speaks with a woman who also attended the City Planning Commission meeting Thursday at Cedar Rapids City Hall. They were there to express concerns about the development on the former Transamerica site, but the developer withdrew consideration of the preliminary plan. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
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