Move More Week Diary

 

Monday, October 3

Cedar Rapids is observing Move More Week. It got underway at the end of the work day with a group bike ride. The weather was wonderful, which did not hold through the week, so it was a lucky day for it.

We met at the end of 2nd Street SE, and did a quick tour of development projects. Engineer Rob Davis provided an update on flood protection efforts.

In process now is a redo of Riverside Park, which requires relocating the skateboarding facility across the park to accommodate a detention basin (see Lido 2022): 

Construction is underway at the development known as First and First West. The first building to go up is the Pickle Palace--possibly to be renamed, but we hope not--which will contain pickleball courts on the first floor, offices on the second, and a restaurant on the third/top:

Up 4th Street NE is the city's tallest-yet mural:

The former Skogman Realty building on 1st Avenue is being renovated into an apartment building:

We also went by the Colonial Center at 1500 2nd Avenue SE, which the city has purchased and is looking to turn into low-income housing with a non-profit partner, and new playground equipment at Redmond Park. (I peeled off at that point to go home, as did a young woman in the group. I hope she didn't find it awkward or alarming that I was going the same direction she was. Uncrowded cities can be awkward sometimes.)

Wednesday, October 5

The Healthiest State Walk, which occurred in most counties across Iowa today, happened at noon here. The weather forecast had been favorable until this morning, when off-and-on showers were suddenly threatened. All was well over the noon hour, however. A group of over 100 undeterred people met at City Hall, and walked by a circuitous route to Greene Square. (Greene Square is four blocks from City Hall, but our route along the river and back up the Cedar River Trail was maybe a mile.) 

We were rewarded with lunch from Jimmy John's, sponsored by AARP. 

Celebrity sightings included 3rd district Council representative Dale Todd...

...and City Manager Jeff Pomeranz.

I didn't see the mayor. There were no speeches, probably to the relief of all. Just a walk and lunch, over a mid-week lunch hour.

Friday, October 7

Thursday and Friday the city showed off its buses, including the 380 Express to Iowa City.

I was grateful for the opportunity to try the bike rack on the front of the bus, which seems like it would come in handy on occasion. I had visions of me struggling to get the bike on the bus, while the driver and untold numbers of working men and women looked on with increasing impatience, and so I've never tried it. Turns out it's as easy as 1-2-3, with instructions printed right on the device!

1. Squeeze the lever to release the bike rack

2. Heft the bike onto the rack with the front wheel in the yellow thingy

3. Raise the yellow thingy to latch the bike into place

I tried it myself, and did the whole operation in 20 seconds. Have I tried it for real yet? No, but I'm ready when the time comes. The latch was plenty big enough to work for this fat tired e-bike...

...though a bike that is that heavy may not be as secure on bumpy roads?

Irregular bus travelers will want to be aware that the city bus has resumed charging fares for the first time since before the pandemic. Single rides are at $1, down from $1.50 in the before-times, and day passes are $2 down from $3.

Getting around Cedar Rapids remains a largely car-centric endeavor, but it's nice that the city takes time to promote cycling, walking, and the bus. Particularly downtown, with developments like First and First West and the Annex on the Square (formerly the Banjo Block) coming online, offers the prospect of walkable urbanism.

SEE ALSO: "The Future of Downtown Cedar Rapids," 24 June 2022