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Cedar Rapids casino plan would leave historic building standing
30
Dec 2016

Cedar Rapids casino plan would leave historic building standing

A new rendering shows the proposed boutique casino in downtown Cedar Rapids, next to the Skogman building, 411 First Ave. SE. (courtesy Aspect Architecture)

(Updated Jan. 5, 2017, to note that two of three buildings could still be at risk.)

By Cindy Hadish/Save CR Heritage

CEDAR RAPIDS – At least one historic downtown building that concerned preservationists  appears to be spared under new plans for a boutique casino.

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission had asked for information on the casino plans, after architectural illustrations of the proposed design showed three historic buildings missing.

The initial architectural illustration of the proposed boutique casino in downtown Cedar Rapids did not include three historic buildings that currently sit on the property. (courtesy Aspect Architecture)

Jennifer Pratt, Cedar Rapids community development director, said the city had no information to provide to the commission, as the buildings are privately owned and the city, so far, has no involvement in the proposed casino, which would be located in the 400 block of First Avenue SE, across from the parking ramp for the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Cedar Rapids Convention Complex.

“We haven’t received any plans,” Pratt said after the Historic Preservation Commission meeting in December 2016. She added that city officials were surprised to learn of the casino plans through the media.

The Skogman building was built in 1885 for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The buildings – the five-story Skogman building and smaller Bever and Sub City buildings – are all included in the downtown historic district. The listing on the National Register of Historic Places, however, offers no protection from demolition.

Developer Steve Emerson said Dec. 30 that the casino – which first needs a license approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission – would be located on the parking lot between the Skogman building and railroad tracks.

“We changed the design so we could preserve the Skogman building rather than demo it,” he said. “It is a pretty significant building historically.”

A skylight is shown in the historic Bever building in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Bethany Jordan)

Emerson would refurbish the Skogman building back to its original architecture as a railroad building, prior to when metal panels and smaller windows were installed, he said.

The Romanesque revival-style building, 411 First Ave. SE, designed by Josselyn and Taylor, was constructed in 1885 as the headquarters of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, with the fourth story added in 1898. The basement is used as its first floor, making it, in effect, a five-story building.

The Cedar Rapids Assessor’s site indicates that the Skogman Group owns the Bever Building, 417 First Ave. SE, and the building that houses Sub City, 421 First Ave. SE, both constructed in 1923. Skogman representatives did not return phone calls for comment and preservationists are concerned that the two buildings could still be at-risk.

Sub City is located in the historic Faulkes building, 421 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Sub City is in the historic Faulkes Building, which began as a radio equipment shop. The Bever building was designed by Harry Edgar Hunter, who was associated with Norman Hatton and known for his residential architecture.

All three buildings are individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places for their distinctive architecture and are among 52 properties deemed contributing structures to the Central Business District Commercial Historic District. The district was just listed on the National Register in 2015.

 

The Bever building, 417 First Ave. SE, was constructed in 1923 in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The interior of Sub City, 421 First Ave. SE, is shown in December 2016. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

6 comments

Beth DeBoom

This is encouraging news and I hope the project remains headed in this preservation direction.

Jeffrey

Thank Cindy for bringing this to people’s attention!

Mark Stoffer Hunter

Also agree this is most encouraging! I want to be there to help remove those awful metal panels off the Skogman/BCR & N Building! Am anxious to see what the facade looks like underneath after 60 years!

LANCE LETELLIER

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they followed the lead of Deadwood where gaming proceeds to the city are earmarked for historic preservation!

Jeremy

I couldn’t care less if we ever have a casino in town but I do love the fact that the Skogman building will get some attention. What really bugs me, and this isn’t what this site is about, is the fact that more surface parking would possibly be added on 2nd Ave even though the casino would be connected to a ramp via skywalk.

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