CR businesses avoid major flood damage, but challenges remain

City workers survey floodwaters and businesses on the other side of a line of Hesco barriers deployed at 16th Avenue in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 28.  Tornado’s, Mad Modern and the Kickstand Bar & Grill were among those on the ‘wet side’ of the wall. PHOTO/CINDY HADISH

 

By Cindy Hadish
news@corridorbusiness.com

CEDAR RAPIDS—Temporary flood protection drew a distinct line between victory and loss for local businesses, but even in areas left untouched by the near-record surge from the Cedar River, the flood of 2016 has taken its toll.

A 9.8-mile system of earthen berms and Hesco barriers – sand-filled collapsible wire mesh containers – installed in New Bohemia and other low-lying parts of Cedar Rapids managed to hold back the swollen river, which crested at 22 feet Sept. 27, second in the city’s history only to the 31-foot crest of 2008.

Still, the Copper Alligator at 65 16th Ave. SW, which stayed dry, is closing its doors in Czech Village, and other business owners are wondering how much downtime they can absorb.

“We have enjoyed being in the Czech Village and Cedar Rapids has been so supportive,” owner Mia Suntken wrote on the Copper Alligator’s Facebook page. “We’ve enjoyed every minute of the almost five years we’ve been on the ave.”

Ms. Suntken noted that her landlord had already decided to sell the building, and with the flood, she saw that as the cue for her vintage clothing store to “close up shop.”

Just down the street, Michelle Bell, co-owner of White Lion Treasures, said two antiques dealers who rent space at the shop decided to go out of business after the latest flood.

“I think it’s a combination of the downtime and the stress,” she said. “Both told me they couldn’t go through this again.”

With help from many volunteers, Ms. Bell moved 2,400-square-feet of vintage collectibles, antiques and handcrafted goods from her store before the flood, and then helped other Czech Village business owner prepare.

While sandbags and an earthen berm constructed by the city helped keep floodwaters at bay, Czech Village businesses all suffered a loss of income from closing for a week or more. Ms. Bell, who hopes to reopen by Oct. 15 or sooner, estimated thousands of dollars in net losses.

Jim Jacobmeyer, a founder of the Artisan’s Sanctuary, said the nonprofit group was scrambling to rebuild its stage, lighting and sound systems for upcoming performances, but decided to move its Oct. 15 concert by The Cynz to Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion.

“We have a full calendar until the end of the year and we need to recover as quickly as we can,” Mr. Jacobmeyer said of the site, which serves as a gathering space for the community, hosting art classes, live music, poetry and more.

While the Artisan’s Sanctuary and other Czech Village businesses stayed dry, several buildings in New Bohemia didn’t fare as well.

Tornado’s Pub and Grub, the Kickstand Bar & Grill and Mad Modern were among the businesses inundated with several feet of water, after the Hesco barriers installed along 16th Avenue SE left them on the ‘wet side’ of flood protection.

David Owens, the owner of Mad Modern, said despite the flood damage, he hopes to re-open his business, which specializes in retro and mid-century modern furniture.

“I’ve invested six years and a lot of money in that building,” said Mr. Owens, who was still assessing his losses. “It would be hard to walk away.”

Tom Slaughter, the owner of Tornado’s Pub and Grub, worked for days to pump water out of the business at 1400 Third St. SE, with the help of family and friends. A benefit, called Party on the NoBo Side, is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 7-9 at Tornado’s to support those businesses left unprotected from the flood.

Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz on Sept. 29 acknowledged the hardship of businesses in the southern portion of the NewBo district that were left out of the city’s temporary flood protection barrier system, but defended the decision.

“It was a difficult decision that needed to be made,” Mr. Pomeranz said at a morning press conference, noting that the city’s engineers consulted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and flood protection specialists before determining the location for the temporary flood barrier.

“The only way of saving an entire neighborhood was to place the barrier where they did,” Mr. Pomeranz said. In response to a media question, Mr. Pomeranz said the city is discussing how best to assist the businesses that were not protected, but has not reached a conclusion.

On the other side of the river, Sauce co-owner Lenny Sims was relieved that his bistro stayed dry.

“If we would have gotten water, it definitely would’ve changed my mind” about staying in Czech Village, Mr. Sims said.

Alex Andersen, owner of Ernie’s Avenue Tavern, was one of several business owners who hoped the earthen berm built along the Cedar River just before the flood could be left in place until a more permanent system is built.

“I was thoroughly impressed,” said Bob Schaffer, co-owner of Czech Cottage. “They built it so quickly. Those guys are heroes.”

The Czech Cottage and NewBo West, Mr. Schaffer’s mixed-use building at 1612 C St. SW, stayed dry, and work continued the day after the flood crested on another apartment/commercial building under construction next to Czech Cottage.

As one of the longtime business owners there, Mr. Schaffer said he has no second thoughts about continuing his operations in Czech Village.

“It’s a business decision,” he said of the owners debating whether or not to stay. “Everyone has their own threshold for pain and risk.”