Remove roadblocks to special events

There are still details to work out, but it looks like the Freedom Festival's Fourth of July festivities, including fireworks, are returning to downtown Cedar Rapids this year.

That's great news for a portion of the city that could use a boost. It will be the first time since the flood of 2008 inundated the community's core that fireworks will arc into the night sky downtown. Gazette Communications is presenting sponsor of the festival, in large part because our company wanted to be part of its downtown homecoming.

“The fireworks are a symbol of the vibrancy of the city,” Peter Teahen, who has been active in recovery efforts, told the City Council this week, adding that the festival will help prove that downtown is “not dead.” He was one of several residents who urged the festival's return downtown.

Despite some uncertainty, it turned out the council agrees.

But freedom isn't free, or at least providing security for the festival isn't free. And that obstacle still needs to be cleared.

The city says it will cost between $24,000 and $38,000 to provide police and fire protection for the event. In the past, the city absorbed much of that cost. But in tight budget times, that's not possible. The Police Department also has seen its reserve ranks dwindle, making special events security more expensive.

The increase caught the festival off guard and led to worries that a downtown return might not be possible. But city officials have pledged to sit down with festival organizers and work something out. We have no doubt that will happen. The festival is a major event that typically drew thousands downtown and generated millions of dollars in economic activity.

Special events are an important part of the city's identity. With that in mind, we hope this episode leads city officials and the council to set security cost ground rules that both encourage special events and result in fair compensation for taxpayer costs.

Because these events are an annual fact of life, perhaps security costs should receive more attention during the city's budget process. Right now, just $25,000 is budgeted for events overtime.

Des Moines covers the first $1,000 of security costs and expects event organizers to cover the rest. Maybe Cedar Rapids could come up with a similar, predictable upfront contribution.

Police here say they are working to revive the reserve officers program, which could slice costs for future events.

But whatever steps are taken, the city's priority should be to encourage these events, not put up financial obstacles that would prompt organizers to look elsewhere for a better deal.