Rare brick home in Cedar Rapids faces demolition; offered free to move
By Cindy Hadish/Save CR Heritage
CEDAR RAPIDS – A rare brick house that predates an entire neighborhood in southeast Cedar Rapids will be demolished if no one steps forward to move it.
The Historic Preservation Commission placed a 60-day hold on the demolition permit requested by owners of the home at 520 Cobban Ct. SE. That hold expires Oct. 8, 2018.
Representatives of the group said they have owned the house for about two years and have no immediate plans for the property, but fear break-ins at the vacant building.
They allowed an antiques dealer to salvage some architectural features from the home’s interior, but the exterior remains intact.
The group will offer the home to someone who can move it for free and have offered to show the home to anyone interested in moving it. They will not put the expenses they would save on demolition toward the cost of moving the home, which predates the 1890’s street where it was built.
“This has great exterior elements,” said Mark Stoffer Hunter, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission.
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Stoffer Hunter noted that the home was likely built as a farmhouse before the neighborhood around it, which includes nearby McKinley Middle School, was created.
The home is individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, but this wouldn’t be the first historic home demolished in Cedar Rapids, which has seen a string of demolitions of historic buildings this summer, even after more than 1,200 homes and 200 businesses were demolished in the wake of the devastating 2008 flood.
Related: Skogman Realty demolishes three buildings in Downtown Historic District
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10 comments
Possible to estimate, even very roughly, the moving cost?
$20k plus just for moving. That doesn’t include the new land or foundation you’ll need or any permits needed.
Jack’s estimate is about right – $20,000+ to move a building. That doesn’t include the costs of a new foundation, permits, etc. It’s much less expensive and easier to rehab in place.
20,000 might be a good figure to round to on a wooden two story inside Cedar Rapids, but is way too low for a brick house. Guess higher..
Thanks Dennis! Good to know!
Not too many homes this nice can be purchased for 20, 000 in Cedar Rapids. Although it’s unfortunate an antique dealer was allowed to come in and strip out the “Good “Stuff”
Who do I contact about viewing it?
Thanks Amy! I’ll send an email to you with the contact information.
Who can I contact with questions please!
We can connect you with the owners.