Board Recommends Gazette Buildings as New Site for CR Library | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather | Local News

CEDAR RAPIDS – More than a year and a half after Cedar Rapids’ historic flood, the library board picked where it wants to build a new downtown library.

Thursday night, the board voted 5 to 3 in favor of the Gazette Communications block to build a new $45 million library.

The block includes the Gazette Newspaper Building and the KCRG-TV9 Studios which are part of Gazette Communications. Both buildings would be demolished. The block is in a prime spot in downtown Cedar Rapids, at the corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street Southeast.

The board liked the block with the Gazette and KCRG for a variety of reasons. First, it’s close to Greene Square Park. Second, it’s also next to the Art Museum, which used to house the library years ago. Finally, they like all the parking options available in the area–including right across the street at the People’s Church lot.

“50 years from now, people are going to say, ‘Why did you choose this site?’ I think we have a very good story,” Cedar Rapids Public Library Board President Susan Corrigan said.

In addition to being near Greene Square Park, the site is also more pedestrian friendly and closer to the heart of downtown. The board marked the Emerald Knights site on First Avenue as its second choice and the TrueNorth site as its third.

“It’s better for them to go ahead and let us evaluate multiple sites at the same time so that can help expedite the process,” FEMA spokesperson Todd Dolphin said.

FEMA will now look at all three sites and rank them as well based on environmental, historical and financial information.

“Our intent is to make the process as smooth as possible. Yeah, we have a lot of criteria that needs to be met…We’re trying to find out and help you with the distractions to get you where you need to get,” Dolphin said.

If the community does not move forward quickly, board members fear an entire generation will grow up without a library.

“I feel very strongly that we have to have a sense of expediency for the kids today,” Corrigan said.

Library circulation numbers have also dropped fifty percent since the flood and likely won’t bounce back until a new building becomes reality.

Some have suggested the library should rebuild back in its pre-flood location, but FEMA said that was not an option because the risk of a future flood was just too great.

Here’s what happens next: FEMA will start evaluating all the sites. On February 24th, Cedar Rapids City Council members will voice their opinion as well. The library’s goal is to have a new facility open by late 2012.

KCRG and Gazette management have said they would be able to move employees out of these buildings within about a year.

Gazette Communications CEO Chuck Peters says both organizations intend to stay in Cedar Rapids, preferably downtown. Peters is still exploring potential options.

Company-owned land in Hiawatha was once an option, but Peters said moving to Hiawatha is not preferred at this time.