Questions Abound for Czech Village Residents

Water rushes through the streets of the Czech Village the day after the river crest in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, June 14, 2008. (Courtney Sargent/The Gazette)

Tools

Questions Abound for Czech Village Residents

By Justin Foss, Reporter

By Justin Foss

CEDAR RAPIDS - This was their rallying cry. Free food and a handful of neighborhood and elected leaders to eliminate doubt about the future of the Czech Village.

We're not talking about some far off future, we're talking about tomorrow, and the days that follow.

Each day these businesses don't bring in cash, business owners say they're spending their reserves on dinner instead of rebuilding.

"A month, we know. If it goes two months, three months, I don't know. We just don't know," said Serena Gabrielson.

Looking for answers, just less than 100 people grouped around the bandstand to hear good words. But, with no microphone, words were hard to hear. And the words people here heard, didn't tell them much.

"We understand that they have their hands tied to an extent, but if they'd brought down a few more answers for this meeting, and a microphone, as though they had planned this better, it would have been better for us," said Alex Anderson.

People may have left with unanswered questions. But at least they say they left knowing every neighbor was in the same boat.

"So the quicker we can get these businesses reopened the better off everyone is going to be, both Cedar Rapids and us personally."

Everyone knows that, but no one knows when they'll get there.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com
View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KCRG-TV9. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Friday, Jul 11 at 7:34 AM To "City Leadership" wrote ...

I agree with you. They need to realize that #!: They are NOT going to be able to make EVERYONE happy. And #2: They are NOT likely to get re-elected anyway. JUST MAKE SOME DECISIONS for God's sakes, so we can move on with this! Just say "this is the way it is going to be" and do it!

Thursday, Jul 10 at 5:20 PM proud czech wrote ...

i hope they don't take czech village out thats all that was left of my grandma who came here al the way from czechlaslavakia. she used to own part of the czech village a long time ago. after she passed away we had her belongings placed in the czech museum. so i hope they at least rebuild it so theres some sort of memories.

Thursday, Jul 10 at 12:59 PM Tina F wrote ...

My home is staying where she is at, broken and all. She will sit there until someone does something with it or homeowners can recieve a grant to demolish them.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 2:25 PM resident wrote ...

Is this a news story? It doesn't tell anything...

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 1:54 PM idea wrote ...

how bout the businesses get a business loan and open up their doors! Waiting around for someone to change your diapers isn't going to do any good.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 1:19 PM VISITOR wrote ...

WANT TO HELP SAVE CZECH VILLAGE? GO DOWN THERE AND VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME TO HELP GUT SOME OF THE BUILDINGS, ALL OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE LOOKING FOR HELP, AS MANY OF THEM DO NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 12:40 PM SKM wrote ...

I understand the history and significance of Czek Village, but it is a very small portion the the devistaion the flood inflicted on Cedar Rapids. I work with 100 poeple directly impacted by the flood. Let's hear about what FMEA and the Red Cross are doing to help a working mother of 6 secure housing (eligible for a FEMA trailer)but still with 7 people living with others who are all making the best of the situation and my other co-workers waiting to hear what is going to happen with their homes

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 12:29 PM City Leadership wrote ...

Hey Cedar Rapids council members....It has been a month since the flood, and I have yet to see you make any kind of decision! DO SOMETHING!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 11:33 AM kim - CR wrote ...

We need to get these businesses back as soon as possible, I love the Polenas, I'm craving the smoked bacon etc..... please come back POLEHNAS.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 11:13 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Again the city council is prepared !! Again the "Mayor Pro-tem" no mayor !! Thats ok, nobody wants to see her anyway, why add insult to injury again. Knowing there would be quite a few people gathered, no microphone, imagine that. Another great attempt by the "city council" to help the people of Cedar Rapids ! Again walking away not knowing what was said or any answers. Remember this !!! CedarRapidians at election time !!!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 10:10 AM Always Learning wrote ...

I grew up visitng Czech Village regularly with my grandparents, and was so sorry to hear about the devastation down there. Moving to higher ground makes sense, but noplace will ever be like 16th Avenue. Esp with the museum there. Best of luck to all of the buisness and home owners as they make decisions as to what to do next. Kosek's has been long gone, and then Sykora's Bakery left not that long ago. I sure hope some of you can find a way to stay. How can we preserve our heritage in CR?

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 9:24 AM Hungry,too. wrote ...

If Polehnas does not open up, my family will never get good barbecued ribs again..ever.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 9:09 AM LH wrote ...

Cedar Rapids and Czech Village go hand in hand. Czech Village has to come back. Where is the Federal & State Govt????? People need answers to their questions. This disaster is too big for the city to handle alone.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 8:33 AM Hungry wrote ...

Please come back Polehnas!!!!! I'm craving the smoked pork shops right now.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 10:51 PM Cheryl Balster/Why USA Realty wrote ...

My Daughter lost her first home at 1806 C St SW. It meant the world to a 21 year old girl who had earned her own small way into a house that cost $39,950. It's around the corner from Great Uncle Charlie's Maytag shop that is still in the family. My grandfather was a druggist here in the 40's. We have been here over 100 years. Never rich but happy. My office on 1st st SW took 9 feet of water. We are making payments on places we can't occupy. And we need Answers that you can't give us.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 10:38 PM Hurry!! wrote ...

We need to get these businesses back in business as soon as possible, especially Polehnas. I'm completely out of their wieners! I'm totally serious, I took the last two out of the freezer today!!!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:28 PM CR resident wrote ...

They should be able to go back. If not then the city needs to find a new area for the Czechs.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:01 PM Czech Village Business wrote ...

Maybe we all should move this village to higher ground??? I am pretty sure we are gonna buy elsewhere.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

By submitting a comment to this web site, I affirm that I have read, understand, agree to and shall abide by the following rules and regulations as a term and condition of all comments which I may post. As terms and conditions of using this KCRG web site, I agree that I am fully responsible for the contents of all statements which I make. To the best of my knowledge, all such statements are true, fair, and accurate. I shall not post any statements which attack a person’s integrity or moral character, expose a person to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, deprive a person of the benefits of public confidence and social dealings, or injure a person in the maintenance of that person’s business. I shall not knowingly post content that violates the copyright, trademark, patent or other intellectual property right of a third person. I shall not post content that is false, liable, defamatory, obscene, abusive, that violates a person’s right to privacy, that otherwise violates any applicable local, state, national or international law or that is otherwise inappropriate. I acknowledge that if I post a comment which violates this policy that an offended person to whom comments are directed may have a right through judicial process to determine my identity and make a claim against me for damages. I agree that I shall indemnify KCRG, its employees, agents, representatives and affiliates from any and all expenses KCRG may incur as a result of comments I post which violate this policy, claims and/or damages, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. KCRG is not responsible for the contents posted or anything arising out of the use of the contents or other interaction and has no obligation or duty to monitor or control any posting but does reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove, or edit user generated comment.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments
Athlete of the Week
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
More On Demand

What's On KCRG

7:00
Good Morning America
9:00
Regis & Kelly
10:00
The View
11:00
KCRG-TV9 News at Midday