The Signs are Everywhere.

The Signs are Everywhere. From blocks of housing rebuilt painstakingly by volunteers and residents, to the new U.S. Courthouse flanking the river, to a state of the art convention center and new hotel, bookending our vibrant downtown with the New Bohemia Main Street District - this is a time of hope and optimism for our community. With more than 3/4 of a billion dollars invested in our community, the Signs of Progress are all around us.

At the five year mark, this is the time to look forward. This is not only a time to see how much is yet to be done - but also to pursue that vision of a vibrant and urban hometown. One we’re all proud to call home.

Jan 7, 2011

Block by Block


Community Investment: $7 million
Status: Original Program Complete; Extended into New Programs.









Address: 
Blocks impacted by program (adjacent blocks listed together to make mapping easier):
  • 1100-1500 blocks of 8th St NW 
  • 1000-1300 blocks of 9th St NW
  • 1100-1200 blocks of 10th St NW
  • 600 and 800 blocks of H Ave NW
  • 600 block of G Ave NW
  • 700 block of 7th, 8th, and 9th St SW
  • 500 block of 7th Ave SW
  • 500-600 blocks of 4th St SW
  • 1300 block of 1st, 2nd, and J St SW
  • 1200 block of 4th and N St SW
Description:  Block by Block was formed in 2009 as a program partnership between the Affordable Housing Network (AHNI), Matthew 25, and the United Methodist Church. This collaborative program helped flooded residents rebuild their neighborhoods one block at a time. Residents, staff, volunteers, and contractors worked together to identify and carry out solutions for every property on each block. Throughout the process, neighbors met in block groups to strengthen the social fabric of the neighborhood post-disaster. Funded through a combination of private and public dollars, Block by Block was able to impact 25 blocks, with 278 homes receiving rebuilding assistance. The partnership implementing the program ended in 2012. As an extension modeled on lessons learned through Block by Block, both AHNI and Matthew 25 have continued the work of neighborhood development. AHNI has shifted its focus on neighborhood redevelopment to the Wellington Heights neighborhood, with their Total Child Wellington Heights Initiative. 

Matthew 25 is still busy in flood-affected areas. The organization continues neighborhood building work through:
  • Sustainable development projects like the Matthew 25 Urban Farm and Ellis Urban Village.
  • Focus on finding solutions for abandoned/problem houses.
  • Home rehab and repair assistance
Community Partners: John and Dyan Smith, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation and the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Iowa Finance Authority, McIntyre Foundation, Hall-Perrine Foundation, Rockwell Collins Employees United Fund, Cargill, Alliant Energy, Department of Human Services Federal Flood Fund, the City of Cedar Rapids, several churches and private donors.




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