Seeing "Life" Return to Downtown
"Bringing Downtown to Life." Really, this tag line should be “Bringing downtown
back to Life.” Life is returning to the streets of Downtown Cedar Rapids, in fact, it’s coming back stronger than ever.
Don’t believe me?
Signs of “downtown life” include... the return of Theatre Cedar Rapids, return of local and county government building operations, redevelopment of flood ravage properties, planning the restoration of the paramount theatre, developing of the federal courthouse and humans services campus, planning and construction of the US Cellular Center and Exhibit/Conference center, opening of new businesses such the MAC, reopening businesses and nighttime venues, redevelopment of the Roosevelt hotel into apartments, building of the United Fire ramp, commitment to bring the library back, future redevelopment of the former library, expanding the vendors at the Farmer's Market, return of the Freedom Festival fireworks, demolition of the flood-blighted Siegel building, enhancing summer activities with Uptown Friday nights, parades, bike races, taste of downtown, pub crawls and ongoing support by businesses who continue to stay downtown.
And believe me, the list goes on...
While walking through downtown on a gorgeous fall day, I see and hear the signs of life returning...
even the smallest signs are encouraging. Kids are back, playing and giggling at the Montessori school, lawn mowers are cleaning up the old library location, and patrons are walking, biking and running on the trail behind the GreatAmerica Building. I hear hammers and drills pounding away on the new Federal Courthouse, parking spaces on the streets are filling up more regularly, and people are out walking and talking during their lunch hours.
It’s refreshing. You know, a few months ago, these signs of life were not here. I can’t wait to see what the next six months brings.
While all signs of life are not outwardly visible, the quiet rebirth of Downtown Cedar Rapids is coming.
What can you do to help to bring downtown back to life? The answer is simple:
embrace this new rebirth. Find yourself here. You can play, live, visit, work, entertain, create, and volunteer - all right here, in downtown Cedar Rapids. It is your community; it is your downtown...and
you can bring downtown back to life.
Connie Chapman is the director for Ryan Companies, located in the GreatAmerica Building in downtown Cedar Rapids, and has been for more than 19 years. In her free time, she’s an avid volunteer and tireless supporter of downtown - she stays involved in various organizations including the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, SSMID, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Follies, Youth/Adult Leadership. You’ll also see her while volunteering at many downtown events throughout the year including the Downtown Farmer’s Market, holiday parades, pub crawls, and festivals. She's involved in various city commissions and is an all-around property management guru. Want to chat about downtown? E-mail her at connie.chapman@ryancompanies.com.