Public Survey: No Clear Winner in County Office Location Debate

By Dave Franzman

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 16, 2009 at 10:47 AM CST

Story Updated: Nov 16, 2009 at 5:56 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn County Supervisors now know what the public thinks about various options for restoring office space lost to flooding, but the survey didn't offer any clear winners.

Supervisors heard some people really like one of the five choices and really disliked others, but when they added it all up, the results came out pretty even.

The study combined results of five open house meetings. Focus groups invited residents, employees and everyone who completed an online survey.

There are four options for the future location:
- the administrative office building as it was before the flood
- the administrative office building with a major renovation and expansion
- Steve & Barry's at Westdale Mall
- a co-location with the City of Cedar Rapids

A fifth option was the old Econofoods on 51st Street NE, but Theisen's bought the building and will open a store there next fall.

The idea of locating at the old Steve and Berry's store at Westdale Mall got a 55% positive vote (ranging from acceptable to outstanding), yet 40% called it poor or unacceptable choice.

The plans supervisors had backed before, expanding the flood damaged administrative office building, got 46% support and 51% negative.

Moving back to the old administrative office building without expansion and FEMA picking up almost all the tab ranked a very close third.

Co-location with city or schools got the most negative response.

Supervisors accepted the study results given by the firm they hired to conduct the survey but have not yet said what happens next.

Linn County Offices Report

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