Marissa Payne

Rent increases are leveling off after historic high spikes driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, but remain higher than before the virus’ global spread, new data show. Policies like rent control are considered a “quick fix,” but is the solution that simple?

A pilot program funded by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust will launch next month with the goal to house 30 “housing-challenged” tenants with private landlords in an effort to reduce homelessness and housing insecurity.

Cedar Rapids’ Hy-Vee on First Avenue NE closed more than two months ago. Nonprofits are filling the gap while the city looks to find a new permanent grocer.

One of the few remaining slices of empty land in the New Bohemia District has been purchased by a development team led by Chad Pelley, adding to recent development activity in the core neighborhood. What could the land become?

A $100,000 grant funded by local businesses allowed the Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit Kingdom Community Center to purchase an extended passenger van in August to address transportation needs for local youth.

Also, Johnson STEAM Academy meal program ends after serving more than 1,348 free meals this summer.

Looking to bring recreational services to the rapidly growing southwest quadrant as an amenity for an increasing number of residents, the Cedar Rapids City Council opted Tuesday to support the construction of the College Community School District’s new YMCA.

Starting Monday, visitors to Cedar Rapids City Hall will now be asked to dial in using newly installed kiosks and won’t be able to access city offices without a staff escort as part of new lobby upgrades. Doors will stay open during public meetings.

In a career spanning 45 years, Linn County’s outdoor recreation planner Randy Burke has had his hands on just about any development in county parks since the 1980s. He’s helped build a sparse trail system into one that connects municipalities spanning multiple Iowa counties.

The NewBo Loftus project involved significant collaboration among city officials, state leaders and private partners, said Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted the state's $2 million investment through workforce housing and brownfield tax credits.

Seven housing projects in the Corridor received a combined boost of $5.03 million from the state Tuesday, helping add 310 residential units to the local market.

Also, Hiawatha will host an open house and ribbon-cutting for its new fire station this week.

Prospect Meadows, the Linn County nonprofit baseball complex, faced headwinds brought on by 2020 disasters within a year of opening that hindered its startup period. But persistent lagging profits and looming debt are prompting the organization to urgently explore ways to boost revenue in consultation with local governments.

Lacey Schroeder has been hired as the new Uptown Marion program director starting Aug. 21. She succeeds Brooke Prouty.

City of Cedar Rapids officials are exploring options to reduce the cost of its $348.3 million project to improve the Water Pollution Control Facility after awarding a construction contract exceeding initial cost estimates by about $70 million. Workforce constraints mostly fueled bids coming in higher than anticipated.