Gomers -- What's going wrong

STILL SPRAWLING: The 2010 Census data showed that the populations of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Coralville continue to shift to those cities' edges, while the core neighborhoods decline. Some of that trend is the result of the 2008 flood, which displaced hundreds of residents from longtime neighborhoods close to the river. But it's also evidence that the practice of infill - rebuilding inner-city neighborhoods where infrastructure is already present - needs continued attention from city leaders. Too much sprawl too fast can drive up costs of city services faster than property taxes can cover.

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INCONVENIENCE OF PROGRESS: Lots of major construction and parking garage demolitions tied to flood recovery projects, and a welcome influx of new downtown tenants, also have combined to put a squeeze on off-street parking in Cedar Rapids' downtown area. About 1,000 spaces are being eliminated because of those projects. The city is trying to plan and find money for construction of one or two new parking garages but the shortage likely will continue at least well into 2012.

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