Recovery officials to assess Quality Chef site to see if it makes sense as an option for a year-round farmers market

Flood-recovery Director Greg Eyerly wants to give backers of a year-round farmers market some word on what the prospects are for putting the market at what is now the flood-damaged, city-owned, former Quality Chef site on Third Street SE in New Bohemia.

Eyerly learned on Tuesday that much of the site has not yet been mucked out since the flood, and just what it's status is far from clear.

As a result, a team of city, state and federal representatives said they will walk through the plant – if it is safe to enter – and evaluate the scope of damage to the building. A further environmental assessment of the site, if needed, will come after that.

Eyerly said he didn't expect to get any report on the Quality Chef site by January or even February. At some point, though, he said he wants to let the backers of the proposed Cedar Rapids City Market if the Quality Chef site is “a go or no go.”

He said an environmental assessment, if needed, will help determine if it makes sense to put a farmers market at the site or not.