Prudent plan for new animal shelter

By The Gazette Editorial Board

----

For nearly four years, the Cedar Rapids city animal shelter has operated out of a temporary site at 2109 North Towne Lane NE. The flood of 2008 heavily damaged the city's facility off Old River Road Road SW, forcing the move.

As city officials negotiated for federal disaster funds and reviewed options, there was talk of partnerships with Linn County and the Cedar Valley Humane Society, perhaps a joint facility.

Unfortunately, those efforts failed. So in late 2010, the City Council approved a site at Kirkwood Community College, with plans for a

$7.7 million facility. In June, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved about $1 million in disaster funding. But FEMA declined to pay any relocation costs, saying the old facility could be elevated or otherwise flood-protected.

The City Council forged ahead, albeit with a more prudent $4.55 million plan - and also approved using $3.55 million from the local-option sales tax that voters approved in 2009. Groundbreaking is expected in September.

Whether or not you agree with the decision to use LOST funds, we think building a new shelter at Kirkwood makes sense for several reasons:

l The old facility, a converted wastewater treatment plant, was difficult to find. And the access road often was inaccessible during minor river flooding.

l The new shelter is projected to meet needs for up to five years, and is easily expandable.

l Staffing remains at nine.

l Efficiencies will help keep operating costs from rising significantly.

l The 13,000 square-foot shelter will be more humane by today's standards for space and ventilation, and eliminates the old shelter's reliance on outside kennel runs.

l Public areas are more welcoming.

l It's a win-win deal with Kirkwood, which donated the land in return for including 900 square feet of classroom space for training veterinary-tech students.

l The site, near major highways, is more easily accessed.

Most important: The city will be better able to provide a service that the community values and expects.

n Comments: thegazette.com/category/opinion/editorial or editorial@sourcemedia.net