CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The city of Cedar Rapids is offering an 1890’s home that needs to be moved from its current site at 1842 Ellis Blvd. NW.

The deadline to submit a proposal to move the three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot house — located in the city’s Flood Control System construction area — is noon this Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, and the two-story house must be moved by November.

See interior photos on the home’s Zillow listing.

The original proposal deadline was Aug. 14, but the city agreed to extend the deadline by one week.

A list of vacant city-owned lots is available where the home could potentially be moved.

See further details on the request for proposal, below.

According to the city, relocation of the structure helps meet goals in historic preservation, sustainability and fiscal responsibility. In addition, due to rising construction costs, moving viable structures may be a less expensive way to provide additional housing on undeveloped lots in core neighborhoods.

Once commonplace, relocating homes has become somewhat of a rarity in Iowa.

Save CR Heritage moved the Frankie House in 2015, which was then sold as affordable housing, and is raising funds to move the J.E. Halvorson House, 606 Fifth Ave. SE, an early-1900s home that serves as the nonprofit’s headquarters.

Volunteers also advocated to move a Queen Anne Victorian in North Liberty, which was relocated last year.

See more: Queen Anne Victorian on the move in Iowa

Anyone interested in moving the Cedar Rapids home should contact Julianna Abrams with the
City of Cedar Rapids Public Works Division by email at j.abrams@cedar-rapids.org or 319-286-5766.

Request for Proposal
Structure Relocation
1842 ELLIS BLVD NW

Proposal Due: August 14, 2024, 4:00 p.m.

SECTION PAGE

(1) PROPOSAL OVERVIEW    2
(2) IMPORTANT DATES    2
(3) STRUCTURE OVERVIEW    3
(4) PROPERTIES (CITY LOTS) AVAILABLE    3
(5) REQUIREMENTS TO BID    5
(6) RESOURCES    7
(7) DISCLAIMER    8
(8) SUMMARY    8
(9) EXHIBITS    3-14

EXHIBITS PAGE
A STRUCTURE AERIAL MAP (1842 ELLIS BLVD NW) 3-4
B PROPERTY AERIAL MAPS (AVAILABLE CITY LOTS) 9
C PROPERTY INFRASTUCTURE MAPS 10
D PROPERTY FLOODPLAIN MAPS 11
E ASSESSOR’S CARDS 3 & 5
F SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED 12 & 13
G EXAMPLE SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS 14

1.1 The City of Cedar Rapids (“City”) invites developers, end-users and interested parties (collectively “Proposer” or “Buyer”) to submit a project plan (“Proposal”) for the purchase and relocation of the City-owned structure located at 1842 Ellis Blvd NW (“Structure”) to a city-owned vacant lot (“Property”). 
1.2 The city development objective is to relocate the existing structure at 1842 Ellis Blvd NW to a viable and available City-owned property.  A list of properties is included in this RFP.  Other viable properties may be proposed as part of your bid response. If a property of interest for relocation is not included in the bid response, it will not be considered for award.

1.3 Relocation of this structure, currently located in the Flood Control System construction area, helps meet goals in historic preservation, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility. In addition, due to rising construction costs, moving viable structures may be a less expensive way to provide additional housing on undeveloped lots in core neighborhoods.
1.4 You are receiving this proposal because we believe you (and/or your company) are a great representation of the City of Cedar Rapids goals outlined above. We look forward to collaborating with you (and/or your company) and continuing to make Cedar Rapids a growing city we are proud to be a part of. 

2.1 Submitting the proposal:
    a. Please see SECTION 5: REQUIREMENTS TO BID for detailed instructions to submit proposals
    b. Digital submittals are required and must be submitted through email. 
    c. Once all requirements are met, send your proposal to J.ABRAMS@CEDAR-RAPIDS.ORG
2.2 Timeline
    a. Failure to meet the following important dates will remove your proposal from this event and defer the next in line submitted proposal. 

Name of the Bid: PURCHASE AND RELOCATION OF 1842 ELLIS BLVD NW
Date of Bid Issuance (City): July 30, 2024

Bid Due Date (Buyer): August 14, 2024, 4:00pm

Notice of Award (City): August 22, 2024

Last Day for Processing Payment (Buyer): August 30, 2024

Structure Relocation Deadline (Buyer): November 4th, 2024

3.1 The Structure: 1842 Ellis Blvd NW – Parcel#14174-52020-00000

Footprint: 7,800 Square Feet
Structure Value: $105,000
Access the city assessor’s website for more information: 1842 Ellis Blvd NW – EXHIBIT E

4.1 Viable and available City-owned properties (vacant lots):

1645 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1657 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E

1673 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.159 Acres | Land Value: $26,700
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1713 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1717 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1723 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1727 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1733 8th St NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Traditional Residential Single Unit (T-R1) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E
1216 Ellis Blvd NW | Lot Size: 0.147 Acres | Land Value: $24,800
Zoning: Urban Village General (U-VG) | Assessor Card – EXHIBIT E

    5.1 Preparation
A. Zoning Requirements: 
    (1) The Structure must be moved to a property with a compatible zone. A link to Chapter 32 – Zoning Code is available HERE.  
B. Utilities: 
    (1) A map of the infrastructure adjacent to the Property is included in Exhibit C. 
    (2) Become familiar with and ask questions early and often. Your proposal must include a plan to seamlessly ensure a safe transition of the structure and avoid disruption to adjacent homes.
C. Special Warranty Deed: 
    (1) The City will convey the Property by utilizing a Special Warranty Deed. An example of this type of deed is included in Exhibit G.   
D. Concept Review: 
    (1) Proposers are encouraged to contact the City’s Development Services Department for their review and comment prior to the proposal deadline. 
        a. Development Services can provide a confidential technical review related to requirements of the zoning code, floodplain ordinance, and other site considerations such as infrastructure, access, etc.
    5.2 Proposal Buyer Background (minimum requirements)

Buyer: Contact Information: Name, address, and telephone number. If representing an organization and/or contracting a 3rd party, provide both your information and the organization name.
Background Information: Provide a brief description of the organization (if applicable), year established, number of employees, types of projects undertaken, yearly financial volume of projects, and current projects underway.
An individual submitting the proposal may use a 3rd party contractor. You must provide the contractors with information that will help you coordinate the move. Include their accreditation information.
Team. Provide a listing, qualifications, and role of all team members anticipated to participate in the project.
Buyer Experience. Provide a list, description, and photos of relevant projects detailing the role in each of the projects.
Buyer Financial Capacity. Provide documentation validating the financial capacity. Acceptable documentation may include
Letters of credit from financial institution.
Documentation of assets and liabilities
Any other documentation deemed by the proposer (buyer) to adequately demonstrate their financial capacity
5.3 Proposal Logistics
Relocation Structure Plan: Provide detailed documentation of how the proposed project will move the structure to the new property including, but not limited to:
E. A complete list of all contractors and subcontractors including examples of previous structure relocations, preferably within the City of Cedar Rapids.
F. A travel plan with detailed explanation of what streets will be closed, the dates and times of closure, what if any utility services will be temporarily impacted, and a plan for temporary movement of utility lines.
G. Demonstrate sufficient insurance coverage to deal with potential issues during relocation including damage to public infrastructure, street trees, utility lines, or private property.
H. Timeline of the proposed relocation plan. Highlight critical steps and milestones. At a minimum outlining all reference requirements mentioned in this Section 5.
Property Site Plan. Provide a site plan for the entire site showing the following (as applicable):
I. Building layout and risk adverse plan for possible setbacks.
J. Site access
K. Storm water management improvements (if applicable).
5.4 Proposal Financials
Project Financing & Equity: Include financial documentation on the proposed financing of the project, including, but not limited to dept sources, equity, grants, and tax credits. The documentation should be sufficient to assist the City in determining whether the proposer has secured or can secure the necessary financing to facilitate the purchase of both the structure and property. This may include development of the property to support the relocation of the structure. The City reserves the right to determine the appropriateness and adequacy of the documentation submitted by the proposer validating the project’s financing. Acceptable documentation may include:
E. Lender pre-qualification letter including amount, proposed terms, and any contingencies.
F. Private equity commitments; and
G. Documentation of any other financing sources being used to finance the project.
Purchase Price viability. submitting proposals must provide proof of financial stability to secure the purchase of the subject structure and property within the dates specified (see section 2) or the bid will not be considered for award
Provide documentation which outlines the total bid package price. The structure and property bid price must be itemized as individual bid items at a minimum.
All the project expenses necessary to construct the project are optional and in good faith effort to provide showing due diligence in your ability to ensure a seamless relocation effort, from acquisition of the structure to relocation of the structure to the new property.
Reminder: The purpose of this proposal is to move the structure in a safe and mutually beneficial way to support growth for our city.
Post-Project Value Provide an estimated total post-project Assessed Value including values for each separate component – the Structure, relocation, the Property, etc.
Grants. If the project financials identify the use of competitive resources, such as Brownfield/Grayfield Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, Workforce Housing Tax Credits, etc. the Proposer must describe if/how the project would be financially viable in the event the competitive resources are not secured.
5.5 Land Purchase Price
Proposers should include a proposed land purchase price as part of the proposal.
5.6 Technical requirements: Completed bid submission will become property of the City of Cedar Rapids.
Submit electronically to Julianna Abrams at j.abrams@cedar-rapids.org no later than
4:00 PM on Friday, August 14,2024.
No submissions will be accepted after this date and time.
The City is not responsible for technical difficulties on the part of the Proposer.
To avoid technical difficulties, observe the following best practices:
• Develop a plan to submit materials in an appropriate manner prior to submittal that will successfully transmit the bid package to avoid delays.
• Ensure that relevant graphics are of sufficient resolution to be viewed and understood digitally.
• Submissions exceeding email size tolerances, in place of multiple emails, consider a zipped folder attachment email for submission to avoid delays.

Proposal Questions
Julianna Abrams
j.abrams@cedar-rapids.org
319-286-5766
Large Load Permits
Streets Department
street@cedar-rapids.org
319-286-5826
Permit – Other
Building & Trades

319-286-5831
Permit – Other
City of CR Website
Permit Fee Schedule

Permit – Other
Permit Applications
Forms & Handouts Library

Cedar Rapids City Assessor

City of CR City Assessor

The city will not be bound to accept any proposal and may decide to abandon the disposition. Any sale of property shall be without warranty as to its completeness, condition, accessibility, or its suitability for intended use of the Proposer. Property may be disposed of at fair market value, as determined by an appraisal of the assessed value, or, under certain circumstances, at a price negotiated between the City and the Proposer. Property will be disposed of “as is and where is.”
Environmental Condition: The City is selling the Structure and/or Property “As is, where is” and upon request and if available shall disclose, in writing, to interested Proposers all the facts or claims known to the City about any environmental conditions that exist on the Structure and/or Property.

8.1 Review you have the following: (minimum required to submit bid)

EXHIBIT B: PROPERTY AERIAL MAPS

EXHIBIT C – PROPERTY INFRASTRUCTURE MAPS

EXHIBIT D – PROPERTY FLOODPLAIN MAPS

EXHIBIT F – SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED PAGE ONE

EXHIBIT F – SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED PAGE TWO

EXHIBIT G – EXAMPLE SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS