True North Block

Site Availability
• Two Property Owners
• True North (75% of block)-Willing Sellers at “replacement cost”
• Guaranty Realty owns remaining property. Willing Seller as long as replacement parking is provided,
price to be determined.
Schedule Constraints
• True North only wants to move once. Estimated time of 18-24 months to relocate (with contingency,
there are no schedule constraints.)
Flood Insurance
• ???
Cost Comparison
• $8.5 million for site acquisition (Estimated acquisition cost- actual price to be determined)
-$4.0 million land
-$1.0 million for additional 1/2 block for parking
-$3.5 million to relocate True North
• Total Project cost approximately $46.9 million
Impact on Tax Base
• Linn County Treasurers Office, 2008: $73,820
Parking
• Approximately 120 dedicated surface parking spots located across 5th Avenue (315 recommended)
• Additional spots available in adjacent parkades (currently 60% full)
Flood Impact
Additional Parking in Entry Plaza
• 2008: No water on N.E. corner/approximately 2 feet of water in S.W. corner
ramps • Outside of the current 500 year flood plain

Library: 42,000 sf. footprint

Other Observations
• Pros -Potential connection to skywalk
-Relationship to Greene Square park and CRMA
Book drop -Landscaped plaza at entrance
-Geothermal capability
Potential skywalk -Adjacent to bike trail
connection -Book drop/service access off of 5th Avenue
Surface parking-120
• Cons -Train noise/vibration
-No lower level space (flood)
-No direct on-site parking
Contingencies
• Additional one-half block of land directly across 5th avenue for surface parking
• Access to approximately 195 parking spaces in the adjacent parkade (free to library patrons)
• Approval to construct new library while True-North facility is occupied
• Confirmation that the site is outside of the 500 year floodplain

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010 *Environmental and historical survey required for any site acquisition
Emerald Knights Block
Site Availability
• Two Property Owners
• St. Martin Land Co. (85% of block)-Willing Seller-interested in ”Co-venture” or out-right sell
• Used Car Dealer (15% of Block)

Schedule Constraints
• Minimal relocation required
• Potential added complexity with “co-venture” design and agreements

Flood Insurance
• ???

Cost Comparison
• $3.5 million for site purchase (Estimated acquisition cost- actual price to be determined, may be off-set
if a “co-venture” development)
Arcade • Total project cost approximately $46.3 million (assuming a stand-alone library solution)
Library: 42,000 sf. footprint

Book drop
Impact on Tax Base
• Positive, if library is a catalyst for “co-development”
Parking ramp: 125 spaces
per level • Linn County Treasurers Office, 2008: $44,574

Parking
• Dedicated, Structured parking for approximately 315 cars. (315 recommended)

Flood Impact
Potential additional
parking • No effect in 2008

Other Observations
• Pros -Relationship to grant Wood Studio, History Center, and Masonic Library
-“Gateway” presence off of interstate and 1st Avenue.
-Little to no risk of future flood damage

• Cons -More costly geothermal

-Potential traffic challenge (one-way streets/congestion)-traffic study recommended
-Expensive parking
-Steeply sloped site
-If co-development is limited to this block, it will likely result in a 3+ story library
Contingencies
• ???

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010 *Environmental and historical survey required for any site acquisition
Banjo Block
Site Availability
• Four Property Owners
• Community Credit Union-Willing Seller
• Guaranty Realty-Willing Seller
• Gazette-Willing Seller
• Melsha (60% of block)-Willing Seller with relocation

Schedule Constraints
• Multiple owners will take time to purchase all land (approximately 6 months)

Flood Insurance
• ???

Cost Comparison
• $5.5 million for site acquisition (Estimated acquisition cost- actual price to be determined)
-$2.0 million for land
-$2.0 million for additional full block for parking
-$1.5 million to relocate current occupants
• Total project cost approximately $44.0 million

Urban Plaza Impact on Tax Base

• Linn County Treasurers Office, 2008: $39,812

Library:45,000 sf. footprint

Parking
• Approximately 40 dedicated parking spaces on site (315 recommended)
• Approximately 240 dedicated surface parking spots across 5th Avenue

Flood Impact
• 2008: Water surrounded the block, approximately 18” deep
• Outside of 500 year flood plain

Surface parking
Other Observations
• Pros -Landscape plaza at N.W. corner to relate to Greene Square Park
-Geothermal capability
-Close to bike trail
-Book drop access off of parking lot

• Cons -Moderate relationship to Greene Square Park-diagonal

-No synergy with neighbors
-Moderate relationship to parking
Contingencies
• Additional full block of land across 5th avenue for surface parking

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010 *Environmental and historical survey required for any site acquisition
Gazette Block
Site Availability
• One Property Owner-Willing Seller-contingent upon relocation of Gazette/KCRG

Schedule Constraints
• Suitable relocation space must be secured, but not believed to be a problem (12 months before
construction can begin)

Flood Insurance
• ???

Cost Comparison
• $8.0 million for site acquisition (Estimated acquisition cost- actual price to be determined)
• Total project cost approximately $46.5 million

Ramp extension
35 spaces
Existing ramp-2 levels
140 +/- spaces Impact on Tax Base
• Linn County Treasurers Office, 2008: $116,324

Arcade
Surface parking-20 spaces +/-
Bookdrop
Library: 42,000 sf. footprint
Parking
• Approximately 195 parking spaces on site, taking advantage of current ramp plus extension (315
spaces recommended)
• Adjacent half block of parking: 120 spaces

Flood Impact
• 2008: no water on site
• Outside of 500 year flood plain

Additional parking
Other Observations
• Pros -Existing structured parking
-Relationship to CRMA
-Geothermal capability
-Book drop access off of alley

• Cons -Higher cost to demolish existing buildings

-No lower level space (flood concern)
-Moderate relationship to Greene Square Park-diagonal

Contingencies
• Commitment to have site available in 12 months

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010 *Environmental and historical survey required for any site acquisition
SSMID Map
SSMID data from Cedar Rapids Downtown District Emerald Knights Block
http://www.downtowncr.org/Content/Our-Story/Our-Boards.aspx

Gazette Block

Greene Square Park

Banjo Block

Truenorth Block

Existing Library site

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010

2008 Flood Extents

Emerald Knights Block

Author: Chad Markin

Updated: 16 July 2009

Gazette Block

Greene Square Park

Banjo Block

Truenorth Block

Existing Library site

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010

Flood Insurance Rate Map
Flood Insurance Rate Map from FEMA
• Preliminary, December 1, 2008

Emerald Knights Block

Gazette Block

Greene Square Park

Banjo Block

Truenorth Block

500 year floodplain

100 year floodplain
Existing Library site

Cedar Rapids Public Library

N

January 7th, 2010