Kingston Village in Cedar Rapids gets another redevelopment proposal

Another development proposal has surfaced in the newly named Kingston Village, the flood-hit commercial area directly across the Cedar River from downtown.

Caleb Mason, the city's housing redevelopment analyst, said this week that the new proposal comes from local developer Joe Ahmann, who has told the city he wants to build a four-story, mixed-use building on vacant city-owned land at 200, 210 and 212 Third Ave. SW. Flood-damaged properties were bought out and demolished on the site as part of the city's flood-recovery buyout program.

Requests to purchase property in the city's buyout program require the city to seek competitive proposals from others, which the city is now doing.

The flood-damaged area now known as Kingston Village has obtained special permission from the state of Iowa to be redeveloped because it has been designated as either a historic area or a "viable commercial corridor."

The historic Louis Sullivan-designed bank at 101 Third Ave. SW and the bank tower next to it are now being renovated in the heart of Kingston Village. Developer Fred Timko, who is involved in the bank renovation, also is building a condominium tower, Kingston Common, next door.

Other developers are restoring flood-damaged storefronts on Third Avenue SW, and three weeks ago, a group of investors won City Council support to negotiate for the purchase of city-owned buyout property at 301 and 305 Second Ave. SW.

These investors plan to renovate a former pool hall for another commercial or office use and to construct a two-story building abutting it with first-floor commercial and office space and three apartments on the second floor.

Kingston Village also will be home to the Cedar Crossing Casino at First Avenue and First Street SW if casino investors secure a license in April from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.