NewBo redevelopment will add housing, work spaces

Construction is expected to begin as early as next month on a redevelopment project that will add housing and work spaces in the New Bohemia area of Cedar Rapids.

3rd Ward Development is planning to restore the former Kurik House on Second Street SE, a historic home flooded in 2008. The house will be moved closer to 11th Avenue SE and provideretail or commercial space on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor.

The project also will include construction of five single-family row houses on Second Street adjacent to the Kurik House and four mixed-use, two-story work/live units on Third Street SE. The latter will provide retail, office or studio space on the first floor and apartments on the second floor.

Don Barrigar, president of 3rd Ward Development, said the project will cover most of the square block between Second and Third streets and 10th and 11th avenues SE.

Barrigar said redevelopment and rehabilitation effort resulted from a two-year process that included acquisition of five properties the Kurik House and four vacant properties through two requests for proposals for flood-affected city-owned properties.

The development company worked with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, state and federal historic preservation offices and the Cedar Rapids City Council-created Czech Bohemia Neighborhood Overlay District.

The Cedar Rapids Planning Commission will hold a rezoning hearing April 17. It will then move to the Cedar Rapids City Council for its consideration.

Barrigar said relocation of the Kurik House and restoration work likely will begin next month. Construction of the single-family row houses is expected to start in July and the mixed use buildings on Third Street SE will complete the project in 2015.

Barrigar said the city and the South Side Investment Board conducted studies showing the need for more and diverse housing.

Our goal was to not only create desired live and work spaces, but also to provide these in a way that complimented the heritage already in place in NewBo, Barrigar said. We have talked with many people to make sure what we are offering is what they want in downtown live and work spaces.

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NewBo redevelopment will add housing, work spaces