Single Homeowner Surrounded by Businesses

By: Claire Kellett

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By Claire Kellett

Story Created: Sep 21, 2006 at 5:50 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 21, 2006 at 9:52 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Business construction and demolition are taking over downtown Cedar Rapids, but one homeowner says she's bound and determined to stay put.

“People come by and don't even realize there's even a house here," says Carrie Kriz.

Hidden among the many brick buildings on Fifth Avenue Southeast sits Kriz’s 90-year-old home.

“It was no secret I long admired this brick beauty," says Kriz.

But she says her brick beauty in downtown Cedar Rapids is missing something...neighbors.

“This was all a neighborhood at one time. The hospital has expanded obviously, and now they’re tearing down the old bakery building next door," says Kriz.

And soon, she’ll be surrounded on three sides by Mercy Medical Center parking lots.

“Yeah I am feeling a little pinned in," says Kriz.

Pinned in, but she’s not budging. Kriz likes the look and location of her house, but the construction next door makes her uneasy. So, she's meeting with the hospital.

“They're going to be discussing with me a little of what they plan to do with this lot over here when the building goes down. Hopefully, they’ll share with me some of the blue prints and ideas of what they might do with the parking," says Kriz.

“We are working with her to see what the best solution for her and us is. We do not need her property, and we just want to make sure we're being good neighbors,” says Karl Keeler of Mercy Medical Center.

The meeting will be good neighbors talking about current construction projects, and the hospital says the possibility of any options in the future.

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