Group still trying to save Cedar Rapids church

 A new organization failed  to beat a deadline to raise money and save First Christian Church from demolition.

The Friends of Preservation was given until Friday to provide a $90,000 check to St. Luke's Hospital as earnest money on the church and two mansions-turned apartments next door, said Beth Chacey DeBoom, one of the group's organizers.

DeBoom, of Cedar Rapids, said the hospital would sell the three properties for $900,000, but that a business plan and other details are necessary for the purchase.

“I don't know that it will make any difference, but we'll do that in good faith,” she said of the fundraising efforts. “I'm not giving up yet.”

Although Friday's deadline passed, DeBoom said the group would continue its demonstrations Sunday morning and again next week outside the church at 840 Third Ave. SE.

The church,  dedicated in 1913 and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, is scheduled to be demolished this spring to make way for a parking lot for the Physicians' Clinic of Iowa medical pavilion.

Although the city is changing parking standards so the spaces would not be required, PCI CEO Mike Sundall has said losing the 40 spots would make parking too tight.

The medical complex, at 10

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Street and Second Avenue SE, will have 1,024 parking spots, including a four-story parking garage paid for through $13.24 million in city tax increment financing.

Demonstrators outside the church this week noted that the city has already agreed to the TIF and closed Second Avenue to build the medical mall, and asked why St. Luke's, which purchased the properties for PCI, couldn't allow the church to stand. The medical complex is scheduled to open in January 2013.

St. Luke's officials have said no one came forward with a viable plan for the church during the 60-day hold the city's Historic Preservation Commission placed on the demolition permit. That hold expired March 12.

Stained glass windows and the exterior columns and skylights of the church will be salvaged to keep in Cedar Rapids, spokeswoman Sarah Corizzo said.

In a message to supporters, the preservation group noted that quality infill – repurposing buildings – makes sense economically and environmentally.

“Infill done wrong will only encourage an exodus out of the city.  After all, who comes to visit parking lots?” the group stated.

Donations

•  Anyone interested in the new Friends of Historic Preservation group in Cedar Rapids can contact Beth Chacey DeBoom by email at: SaveCRHeritage@gmail.com or phone at: (319) 360-7145. The group also has a Facebook page: SaveCRHeritage
•  The Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is serving as the fiscal agent for the First Christian Church fundraising.  Donations are tax deductible. More than $10,000 had been raised by March 22. People interested in donating can make checks payable to CV/NB Main Street with “First Christian” in the memo field.  Checks can be mailed to: CV/NB Main Street Office, 101 16

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  Ave. SW, Suite A, Cedar Rapids, IA  52404. If not enough money is raised to purchase the building, donors can have their checks returned or contribute to the seed money for a Friends of Preservation Foundation.