Two downtown Cedar Rapids projects increase in cost

CEDAR RAPIDS - Two high-profile downtown projects have gotten more expensive with cost increases approved this week by the City Council.

In one, the construction cost for the transformation of Greene Square Park into Greene Square has increased $159,706 to $1,895,684.

In the second, the city's cost for construction of the flood wall and pump station at the CRST Inc. office building has increased $62,500 to $3,989,118.

In the park project, Sven Leff, the city's parks and recreation director, said the park cost increase comes, in part, due to the reconstruction of a sanitary sewer manhole in the park. The work had been planned to be completed as part of a city sewer project, but the work has been incorporated into the park renovation project since the renovation is underway. City sewer funds will pay for that work, which will cost $126,026 of the total increase in the park project cost.

Other new costs in the park project relate to the unexpected discovery of additional fiber-optic and phone lines; additional concrete removal; the addition of a ramp to accommodate the Americans with Disabilities Act; removal and replacement of curb and gutter on the park perimeter; the installation of a concrete leveling bed for a water feature; the replacement of a base for a light pole; and additional backfill, drain tile and drains around the water feature, according to the city.

The park project has been called a $2 million one. Initially, the city had said it would contribute $650,000 to the project with private donations contributing much of the rest. Linn County is contributing up to $250,000 to pay for a world-class sculpture for the park.