Commission developing ‘most endangered’ historic property list

CEDAR RAPIDS - The city's Historic Preservation Commission is developing a list of “most endangered” historic properties as more commercial structures are scheduled to come down.

The commission is responsible for reviewing demolition permits for buildings 50 years or older that are not considered health and safety threats. In June, however, the City Council approved the demolition of 51 flood-damaged commercial buildings, including some eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

But being on the National Register doesn't protect buildings from being demolished.

Also this summer, the council adopted guidelines that call for evaluating redevelopment proposals only for buildings outside the 100-year flood plain that have not been significantly damaged.

Sushil Nepal, the commission's staff liaison, said the city has advertised the commercial properties, but with the exception of two in Czech Village, “there is no interest” from developers.

Historic Preservation Commission chairwoman Maura Pilcher questioned the notification process to potential buyers.

“It seems to be confusing and not well-advertised,” she said during a commission meeting last week.

Commission members plan to provide a list of the city's most endangered properties - flooded buildings and others - to the City Council's community development committee sometime around November.

That will be too late for some of the buildings on Cedar Rapids' buyout list.

Matt Widner, the city's code enforcement manager, has said the commercial buildings are already being tested for environmental hazards.

Contracts could be awarded by September, with demolition beginning soon after that.

Two buildings cited as possibilities for the commission's list are in the Third Avenue District, which has been surveyed and found eligible for the National Register, Pilcher said.

The Gatto Building, at 102-104 Third Ave. SW, and the Esquire Building, 120 Third Ave. SW, were flooded in 2008.

A sign on the Esquire Building, built in 1909, according to the City Assessor's site, notes the structure has been condemned.

The assessor's site dates the Gatto Building to 1912.

Commission members also suggested placing the Ellis A&W on the “endangered” list.

The landmark drive-in restaurant, at 1136 Ellis Blvd. NW, was flooded in 2008 and is among the commercial properties slated for demolition. However, the site appears to be just under the 50-year mark needed for historic status.

While city directories show a Boulevard Drive-In at that location starting in 1954, permits for the current A&W building, previously known as Wally's A&W Drive-In, were taken out in 1962. The restaurant opened shortly after, making the building about 49 years old.