The Pennies are Rolling in on the Local Option Tax

As of June 2, 2009, a total of $1.6 million has been raised as part of the One-cent Local Option Sales Tax which began in April 2009. As part of the allocation process, an Oversight Committee has been formed to review and monitor the disbursements of money. Ninety percent will go to helping repair flooded housing. The remaining 10 percent will be used for property-tax relief.

Housing Progress

The housing issue is deep and wide: it’s not just buyouts,
demolitions or repairs. The housing issues include rehabilitating houses, replacement housing, rental housing and the availability of affordable housing for flood survivors.

The complexity of funding programs requires a coordinated effort of many organizations. More than 1,700 applications for housing assistance have been gathered and inspections completed.

More than $28 million in state and federal Jumpstart funds have been designated and distributed for housing rehabilitation (repair), mortgage assistance and downpayment assistance.

So far, almost 800 houses are being repaired and rebuilt.

Rental property was not originally included in the assistance plans from the state. Now, with pressure from local elected officials, landlords can receive assistance; 500 landlords have applied, representing 900 rental units.

After researching the successes and challenges of other communities’ recovery from natural disasters of this magnitude, there are several lessons to be learned. Other cities told us to…

• In volve residents in the development of recovery plans.
• Carefully manage the financial resources available because disaster recovery will last at least 10-15 years.
• Build back stronger than before in preparation for the future.
• Approach disaster recovery as an investment in the next 100 years of your community.

We’re using this good advice as we make plans and put them into action.

Action Plan

SHORT-TERM FLOOD PROTECTION

To increase our flood protection right now, the City purchased 2.66 miles of Hesco baskets to fill with sand and Tiger Dams to fill with water.

These temporary flood protection devices will help protect Cedar Rapids on both sides of the river to an increased height of 24 feet, at a cost of $900,000.

“We are prepared,” said City Manager Jim Prosser. “We now have a plan and the tools in place.” The Hesco baskets were most recently used in North Dakota to hold back floodwaters. Over the last two months, City workers were trained how to use the temporary barriers to reinforce our levees.

70 Houses Demolished

As of today, 70 flood-damaged houses have been demolished and debris removed as part of the recovery plan. All of these houses were located in the northwest, southwest and southeast quadrants of the city. Each house takes about two days to demolish and replace with fill dirt. These houses were not part of the buyout program. The City is still waiting for federal funding to proceed with buyouts. Beginning in July, another 70 flood-damaged houses are scheduled for demolition.

A Permanent Solution

LONG-TERM FLOOD PROTECTION

A system of permanent and removable flood walls and green spaces make up the Cedar Rapids long-term flood protection plan. The City Council approved and submitted the plan to the US Army Corps of Engineers in November 2008. Now the Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a twoyear feasibility study of the Cedar River and the City’s plan, which is expected to be complete in 2011.

After the study is complete, we will need Congressional approval and federal funding to build the flood walls. In addition, the City is working with the state of Iowa to improve watershed management policies for eastern Iowa.

CR + IA = $$$$

FEMA, RIO, IDED, IFA, HUD, CDBG ...

The list of abbreviations involved in flood recovery funding is long and confusing. But thanks to partnerships between the City and various state agencies, all those letters are turning into the money to build our city.

As of June 1, City Council members and staff, working closely with Gov. Culver’s Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO), have received $74 million in state and federal funding for the City of Cedar Rapids. This includes $26.5 million in FEMA public assistance, $20 million in Jumpstart Housing Assistance (state and HUD’s CDBG), $16 million in Jumpstart Business Assistance (state and HUD’s CDBG) and $10 million in Community Disaster Grants. Thanks to help from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and other state agencies, your City will continue to turn letters into numbers.

The City Never Closed

Despite more than 300 City facilities suffering severe water damage and nearly all City government displaced, the City of Cedar Rapids never closed. In fact, no City services were curtailed during the flood or after—police were on their beats, fire responded to all calls, garbage was picked up.

Nearly $500 million will be needed to repair our City buildings. Renovation designs began early in 2009. This spring, the City started 11 facility rebuilding projects.

Rebuilding City Facilities

The City Council prioritized flood protection and neighborhood reinvestment before rebuilding flood-damaged City facilities. A facilities master plan was approved in February 2009.

To continue to move forward, the City needs your input, ideas and feedback. Learn more about flood-damaged City facilities and help develop a plan for rebuilding or replacing them at a series of open houses this year: June 23, August 18 and October 6. So far in 2009, the City has begun 15 construction projects valued at $100 million. Here’s an update on the largest facilities:

• Veterans Memorial Building–The May’s Island landmark is eligible for $20 million in FEMA disaster relief. Further study and extensive planning need to occur before we can move forward. Cedar Rapids City Hall continues to operate in an AEGON building on River Ridge Drive NE.
• Library–In May, the Legislature approved $5 million in assistance for the library, and FEMA funding is pending. FEMA is requiring that the library move from its location.
• Police Station–The police building is open. Damage to the basement is being repaired, with a February 2010 completion date.
• Central Fire Station–FEMA is currently analyzing the property.
• 3rd Ave. Parkade; 4th Ave. Parkade; GTC Parkade–All need elevator repair and other reconstruction work. Most work will be completed by end of 2009.
• Ellis Pool–Replacing pool pumps and filters; repairing collapsed pool decking, concession and bathroom areas. Completion is expected by September 2009.
• Paramount Theatre–Architects are reviewing building; remodeling completion date anticipated 2011.
• US Cellular Center–Repairing escalator, concession and offices on first floor. Completion date of December 2009.

Ready for Summer

Last year was tough on Cedar Rapids area parks.

City and area crews have been working all year to make sure our 95 City parks, pools and recreation services are ready for summer.

All but one city pool has opened; splash pads and spray pools are ready to go. Renovations will be completed by the end of the year at Ellis Park Pool and Indian Creek Nature Center. Work on Cheyenne Park, Mohawk Park and Seminole Valley are underway with completion in 2009.

More open parks:

• Cedar Lake Loop Trail
• Czech Village Bandstand
• Ellis Park Ball Diamonds
• Greene Square Park
• Hayes Park
• Jones Park Golf Course
• Riverfront Park
• Robins Lake Area
• Tait Cummins Sports Complex
• Time Check Park
• Ushers Ferry Visitor’s Center

Community Collaboration

Some say it takes a village, but in the case of record flooding, it takes an entire city, county, state and country to recover from this disaster. Knowing the far-reaching breadth of the flood, various organizations coordinated community response under one umbrella action group called the Recovery and Reinvestment Coordinating Team (RRCT). It’s a big name for a big group with
big goals:

• Affordable Housing Network
• Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
• Cedar Rapids Downtown District
• Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Cedar Rapids Community School District
• Cedar Rapids Neighborhood Associations
• Hawkeye Labor Council
• Cedar Rapids City Government
• Linn County Government
• Economic Planning and Redevelopment Corporation
• Small Business Recovery Task Force
• Arts and Cultural Organizations
• United Way of East Central Iowa

Better Together

Many nonprofit organizations specialize in dealing with crisis. When their own facilities were damaged, they mobilized, joined forces and acted. Most of them didn’t miss a beat. They figured out ways to meet the immediate needs of the populations they serve, then began the real work of planning for long-term recovery.

• Number of nonprofits with flood damage: 56
• Arts/culture: 19
• Human services/foundations: 37
• Number in new facilities or back in renovated offices: 36

“Those nonprofits that aren’t back in buildings tell inspiring stories as well. They’re using challenging times as a springboard for creative new options,” says Leslie Wright, director of community impact for United Way of East Central Iowa.

Some examples:

Boys and Girls Club

Reinventing itself and building new partnerships to continue to offer services to area youth.

Iowa Legal Aid

Displaced but offering extensive legal support to flood-affected families.

Cedar Rapids Symphony

Displaced but trying creative new venues and programming opportunities.

A – $1 billion : Flood Walls
B – $500 million: City Facilities
C– $1.5 billion
• Buyouts
• Demolitions
• Replacement Housing
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Infrastructure for Redevelopment Area

The business of the City of Cedar Rapids is quality of life. The flood significantly damaged the quality of life for thousands of residents. Now, the City’s job is to lead community efforts to improve quality of life and to ensure we are a greater community for people now and in the future.

Flood numbers are mind-numbing. These numbers don’t reveal the flood’s personal impact on people. Behind every number is a unique story and set of problems that must be solved before recovery of quality of life can begin.

Safety

Safety is our most important priority. That is why we recognize that no lives were lost due to this epic flood
thanks to police, fire, Linn County Emergency Management Agency and other public employees, but also to heroic residents.

Housing

Safety includes finding housing solutions for flood survivors. The rehabilitation process has occurred in over 1,000 homes—this was aided by 200,000 volunteer hours and $30 million of federal and state Jumpstart money.

Jobs

We have provided over $20 million in federal, state and local funds to floodimpacted businesses to aid recovering critical jobs and services.

What’s Next

• The announcement that $517 million of CDBG funds will be coming to Iowa provides renewed hope that the City can begin buying flood-impacted properties.

• With the collaboration of area home builders, the state and City, over 170 new homes will be built by year’s end.

• Construction of over 200 new multi-family rental units is awaiting financing approvals to begin.

• Renovation of the historic Roosevelt hotel will add more than 80 units of affordable, downtown rental housing.

Above all else, this new Season of Progress is a commitment. We will not be satisfied until solutions are found for the last flood-impacted person. Our past performance provides confidence this commitment will be realized. Disaster recovery is achieved by successful collaboration with community organizations, neighborhoods and state and federal governments.

Facts, experience and the careful judgment by elected offices have guided our difficult, often gut-wrenching decisions. Cedar Rapids has a solid start on the recovery journey to a greater community—progress is evident and hope is strong. The fifth season of progress is with us.

Jim Prosser, City Manager