Mercy opening non-profit center at former PennySaver building

Mercy Medical Center, using a $600,000 grant from the Hall-Perrine Foundation, is creating a non-profit community center in the former PennySaver building at 621 Fourth Ave. SE.

The building will be named the Sister Mary Lawrence Community Center, in honor of the former Sister Mary Lawrence Hallagan, a well-known and influential member of the Sisters of Mercy order.

Sister Mary Lawrence died in 1999.

“The creation of the Sister Mary Lawrence Community Center is Mercy's gift to the community in honor of her many contributions to the hospital and the city of Cedar Rapids,” said Tim Charles, president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center.

The goal of the non-profit community center project is to create long-term office and work space for several non-profit organizations that will benefit not only from the space allotment but also from a shared vision to enhance the health and well-being of the community.

“We've become aware that many local non-profit organizations are still in need of permanent office space following the flood of June 2008,” Charles said. “In keeping with our mission, it is our goal to continue to search for ways to enhance the health of the communities we serve. Providing adequate space for local non-profits has been a tradition for Mercy for many years. We're pleased to have received the Hall-Perrine grant to help us move this project forward.”

Current tenants in the PennySaver building include Kids First Law Center and the Young Parents Network We Care Shop, which lease space from Mercy for $1 per year. They will continue to be tenants following renovation of the building.

The Boys and Girls Club and Gems of Hope are expected to move in, too. Space remains available for several more tenants.

Renovations to the former PennySaver building are scheduled to begin in September, with completion scheduled for December or early January.

The hospital said other events are planned over the next six months to commemorate the life and legacy of Sister Mary Lawrence, in what would have been the year of her 100th birthday.