Neighborhood Reinvestment Action Plan
What's the Plan?
The Neighborhood Reinvestment Action Plan is a project plan that divides the neighborhoods that were devasted by the Flood of 2008 into three separate, more manageable projects - the North, Central and South Areas. Downtown Cedar Rapids is a part of the Central Neighborhood, and the Cedar Rapids Downtown District is leading the charge in the following reinvestment projects:
Arts and Cultural Opportunities
Support the Civic Arts by building an "Arts and Entertainment District"
Restoration of Theatre Cedar Rapids, Paramount Theatre and other venues of historic/cultural significance
Plan events to attract artists and art shows
Partner with the City to create an outdoor performance venue (Ampitheatre, Greene Square Park landscaping)
Business Reinvestment
Create significant downtown attractions
Attract Businesses to Downtown & West Bank
Encourage mixed-use development in Downtown
Build supermarket downtown
Support facilities for children/youth downtown activities (Human service, private, faith based community
Transportation & Connectivity
Create and impliment a comprehensive parking reinvestment and management plan
Streetscape Improvements
How was the Neighborhood Reinvestment Action Plan created??
In 2009, more than 1,400 citizens participated in the
Neighborhood Planning Process, which consisted of eight community workshops to develop ideas and provide feedback on reinvestment plans for the ten flood-damaged neighborhoods which live along the Cedar River. The Cedar Rapids City Council approved the final
Neighborhood Reinvestment Plan on May 13, 2009 to guide redevelopment in the neighborhoods over the next 10 to 15 years.
Click here to view the Action Plans and watch progress.
In the News:
January 2011: The American Planning Association has selected the City of Cedar Rapids River Corridor Redevelopment Plan, including the Neighborhood Planning Process, to receive the 2011 National Planning Excellence Award for Best Practices in Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Planning for its ability to expeditiously develop and embark on a redevelopment plan within days of a major flood.
For the full news story click here.
Other Highlights & Awards:
- International Downtown Association gave the Downtown District and City the Pinnacle Award for the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan and the Neighborhood Planning Process;
- Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association gave the City of Cedar Rapids their “Hard Won Victory” award for community planning after the flood.
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