Flood Recovery Open Houses Could Draw a Crowd

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

By Dave Franzman

CEDAR RAPIDS- The first real outline of a flood recovery plan in Cedar Rapids could come on July 29th.

That's the date city officials have selected for a series of open house meetings. City officials announced the dates at a Friday briefing on the latest flood developments. The city won't have detailed flood protection ideas ready by then. But the city wants to begin discussing some options and getting some feedback from residents.

Since the flooding last month, many of the thousands of impacted owners have questioned where new dikes or other flood protection construction might go. Many also want to know what areas are beyond saving with buyouts at the only long term strategy.

The open house meetings set for Tuesday the 29th won't have any final answers. But city leaders say it starts a process that should eventually come up with a community consensus for long term recovery.

Cedar Rapids Mayor Pro Tem Brian Fagan said, "if you want an answer that says "yes" a line will be drawn on July 29th...I can't provide that. That's not the answer you're going to get. What you're going to get is a strategy that says what's in the long term interest of this community and how can we rebuild..."

The first of what will be a series of city Flood Recovery meetings will take place at Metro High School from Noon until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29th. Another meeting that day will take place at Madison Elementary School from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A final session from 8:00 until 10:00 p.m. will take place at Washington High School.

City officials hope three separate chances will give residents lots of opportunities to listen, learn and speak.
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Monday, Jul 21 at 12:28 PM Bob wrote ...

Get the CR River DREDGED asap before the winter comes upon us. It is well OVERDUE - when was the last time it was DREDGED? This would free up a lot of space for the spring thaw next year especially if we have another winter like last winter!

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:26 AM Richard J.McArtor wrote ...

NOW is the TIME for the so-called CITY LEADERS to take a STAND and NOT RIDE the FENCE any longer. DECISION TIME IS NOW. Don't wait to see a map. Walk through the area of devastation and think what if this was MY HOME, YOU TOO WOULD WANT RESULTS WITH ACTIONS NOT DELAYS!!!! and THEN FEED US THE BS that your giving us.

Monday, Jul 21 at 6:54 AM Mayorless in CR wrote ...

Next election, we need to vote in a mayor that can fullfill the job. The one we have now doesn't even make a good figure head as a mayor. I can't understand how she ever got elected in the first place.

Sunday, Jul 20 at 10:13 PM Anonymous wrote ...

stuffbears...Mayor Pro Tem is basically the person who becomes the temporary mayor when the actual one can't fulfill the job. Except it's only supposed to be in situations like when the mayor is sick or dies, not when the mayor is actually still in their position and are just lazy and incompetent. It's obvious in this case why they chose a Mayor Pro Tem BEFORE it was necessary!

Sunday, Jul 20 at 5:39 PM Time for change. wrote ...

It is quite apparent that the officials of Cedar Rapids are as incompetent as George "Photo Op" Bush is in getting things done. It is time for a change...a BIG change.

Sunday, Jul 20 at 9:50 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I guess they are not taking questions or advice. If they are they have not blocked off enough time. Then again the last thing this council cares about is the people of the city.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 9:22 PM wise money wrote ...

They want to hear some feedback of the residents? Isn't this what the last month of meetings has provided? The inspectors have visited the homes and listed what is not able to be repaired, FEMA has doled out some money, the Red Cross has given supplies and money. At what point is the city going to act on something? You can hash out what if's for years. THese people need a resolution now. If the city gov't cannot make a decision- let a council of the affected residents do it for them.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 12:15 PM A suggestion from a Cedar Rapids voter wrote ...

I sure wish we had that Beauregard kid that Palo has. What a workaholic! Their recovery efforts are light years ahead of Cedar Rapids. Heck they are already rebuilding flood damaged structures.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 9:11 AM stuffbears wrote ...

What is a Mayor Pro Tem? I never heared of that until our new system of government. Why hold meetings if you don't have the answers.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 12:40 AM wes mantoothe wrote ...

Ohh the home owners get to go back to see their homes and see what the losers stole from them

Friday, Jul 18 at 10:04 PM unknown wrote ...

Will the mayor be there or is this another thing she will avoid? May interupt her napping or wine drinking. Oh I wish i had that "magic wand".

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