Marissa Payne

Hy-Vee announced it is working with landlords to try to fill the spaces at its First Avenue NE and other closed locations so the properties do not stay vacant once the stores close in June. Hy-Vee is not placing a “use restriction” on these stores and announced plans for free grocery and pharmacy deliveries to impacted customers.

Cedar Rapids signed off on tax incentives last week for an $8.5 million project to build two commercial facilities in the southwest side and toward Steve Emerson’s ‘Muskwaki’ building redevelopment.

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A long-awaited, $8.04 million segment of flood protection is on its way to fortify Northwest Neighborhood against rising Cedar River waters using federal COVID-19 relief funds. It’s the first flood control project in the neighborhood.

Conlon Construction is proposing building a 150-room hotel and 10 rowhomes on the city-owned parking space known as Lot 44 in NewBo, which would go a long way toward adding overnight beds in the city core that could help Cedar Rapids attract larger events.

A grocery study the city of Cedar Rapids completed last summer found there is high opportunity in the core of the city for a grocery store that appeals to lower- and moderate-income residents who are more price conscious. It cites Aldi, Price Chopper and Walmart as examples.

Faced with the abrupt closure of Hy-Vee’s First Avenue NE location, Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said Tuesday that city officials and local stakeholders are studying all options to fill the grocery store and pharmacy gap Hy-Vee will leave when it shutters there in June.

In November last year, Cedar Rapids officials were assured that Hy-Vee had extended the lease of its First Avenue NE store another five years. Six months later, the company announced the store’s closure. Here’s how the city said negotiations went over the last year to keep Hy-Vee.

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Some Iowans who’ve navigated Iowa’s mental health care system say the state needs more long-term options to treat issues ranging from substance use to schizophrenia. How can the state create a “brightly lit path” for those seeking care?

Also, trail detours are planned to accommodate derecho debris cleanup along McLoud Run in Cedar Rapids.

Chain Reaction Bike Hub, a new nonprofit, aims to break barriers people face to accessing reliable bikes and transportation in Linn County. Its new shop is open at 1010 Third Ave. in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Foundation 2 Crisis Services celebrated the opening of its new headquarters after a $5.4 million renovation of the Witwer Building at 305 Second Ave. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids. It “legitimizes crisis response for the critical service it is,” CEO Emily Blomme said.

Cara Matteson started this week as Linn County’s new sustainability director spearheading environmental initiatives in Iowa’s second-largest county. She succeeds Tamara Marcus, who resigned last year.

Also, Marion Farmers Market to reopen for season