City offices shift makes sense

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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New Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz's first major public proposal looks like a winner. His plan to move the core of city government to the former federal courthouse instead of returning some offices to their old home, Veterans Memorial Building, has strong support from the City Council.

We also like the plan. It should simplify access for the public. It makes good use of a valuable building. And perhaps the shift will reduce friction between city leaders and the commission that manages and maintains Veterans Memorial Building.

Both buildings were severely damaged in the flood of 2008. Federal officials completed repairs on the courthouse and swapped the building for city land on which to build the new federal courthouse. Details of the Veterans Memorial Building renovation are still being negotiated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

After post-flood proposals for a joint city-county-school facility or a separate new city hall were shot down, the Council seems settled on a split plan - return the offices of city manager, City Council, city clerk and city attorney, as well as the council chambers, to the Veterans building on May's Island. The departments of finance, community development, human resources and civil rights were to move into the former courthouse.

Pomeranz argued against breaking up the city government “team,” noting there is enough space in the old courthouse for all of those offices.

He also said the large courtroom on the third floor can be converted into council chambers by this summer, allowing the City Council to meet there instead of the temporary site in Hiawatha.

This plan makes sense for several reasons.

The public is better served with one location for the offices and services residents use most frequently.

It's more efficient for city staff and elected officials. And the stately courthouse provides a high-quality, historic building and an appropriate environment in which to conduct the public's business.

We understand the emotional appeal of returning city offices to Veterans Memorial Building. It's an icon of this community. Its location on an island between the city's east and west sides is symbolic.

However, the building will be renovated and can be used for other public purposes, including meetings of some 30 boards and commissions. It could accommodate expanded veterans projects.

Unless the Pomeranz plan would create unjustified extra expense, go with the federal courthouse as Cedar Rapids' new home for City Hall.