Monica Vernon stepping down as director of Czech Village/New Bo district in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Monica Vernon announced Thursday she is stepping down as executive director of The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia to spend more time with her family.

The District board is launching a search for a new leader after the departure of Vernon, who has led the organization since 2019. Her resignation takes effect Sept. 21.

“It's bittersweet,” Vernon said. “You work hard to build something, and you see all the opportunities coming up and all the cool stuff. But you’ve got to know your priorities, and mine is and always has been my family first. So, I feel good about it, but it's not without a little pang.

“Finding a good, strong leader to take The District forward — that’s going to be the icing on the cake.”

The timeline to hire her replacement isn’t set, but Vernon said the district hopes to have someone hired in late September or early October.

Vernon said she has two daughters with babies due in August who both live out of state and a daughter getting married in September. Stepping down from her role will allow her more flexibility to travel and spend time with her children and husband, she said.

“I realized I can’t ever get that time back. When your kids are out of state, you really miss your family, and my family needs me,” Vernon said.

Self-taxing district

Vernon will continue as administrator of the Czech Village-New Bohemia Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District commission, or SSMID, which decides how to spend self-imposed tax dollars collected from commercial and industrial properties within the district to make improvements in the district.

The commission, made up of developers, property owners and business leaders within the district, voted unanimously Thursday to have Vernon stay as administrator.

Vernon said that will allow her and the district to continue working on projects, such as adding digital kiosks, more streetscape and creative lighting in the district. The district also is looking at revamping the Novak Plaza in front of the “Mucha Meets Iowa” mural facing the entrance of Czech Village near the 16th Avenue Bridge.

“I think it’s important to continue on the trajectory we’ve been on to keep making great progress for the district and working together — The District and SSMID — but also with so many other partnerships,” Vernon said. “I don’t want to get in the way of the new executive director at all, but I want to remain a source of information, assistance any time they might need it.”

Accomplishments

Vernon, a former Cedar Rapids City Council member, said she has no plans to seek elected office again, but her experience on the council helped her strengthen The District’s partnership with the city of Cedar Rapids and other major area partners.

During her time with the district, Vernon said, she is proud of its rebranding to “The District” instead of the “Main Street” name, elevating The District’s stature in the region and getting to know the many business owners and their staff.

“All the work we’ve done — it’s not really us,” Vernon said. “You’ve seen so many businesses step up and make successes of themselves.”

Vernon leaves The District while there’s been significant development momentum, particularly on the NewBo side.

The redevelopment of the Loftus Lumber site on Third Street SE — under a development team led by Dave Drown — will add a mixed-use facility with 180 rental units.

A development team led by Chad Pelley has broken ground on the $9.8 million Fulton Lofts mixed-use project from 1218 to 1310 Third St. SE near the Olympic South Side Theater.

The Coralville-based Watts Group’s $20 million NewBo Lofts development soon will add two 55-unit buildings.

Plus, the council recently accepted a proposal from High Properties for the disposition of a city-owned property at 116 16th Ave. SE to build a $23.7 million residential and mixed-use facility — one six-story residential building facing the river with 63 units and one four-story mixed-use building facing Second Street SE with 22 units and 1,443 square feet of commercial space.

Progress is on the horizon in the coming years for Czech Village, too, with an infusion of $3 million in state Destination Iowa grant, funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, will support development of the Czech Village Roundhouse and “woonerf” -- Dutch for “living street -- gathering space.

“We’re on our way” to being a destination for shopping, entertainment, culture and dining in Iowa, Vernon said.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com