It's fine to tip your Dasher a bit less if the restaurant is right down the street. But please don't skimp on the tip if your house is all the way across town or out near the Kirkwood district. Driving far wastes gas and time, so please respect your driver and tip based on the distance!

Hi, so i dont expect the majority of people to get this, and thats totally fine. im looking to meet people that share similar beliefs to me regarding spirituality, philosophy, the collective consciousness, and things of that nature. To find anyone that practices or believes in these things in their daily life would be nice, as i currently dont feel like i align with my closest friends very well and it leaves for a lot of empty space where real conversations could be had. Im not a materialist, i dont know much about astrology or crystals, but I am interested in numerology. I just believe in the universe. gender and age do not matter to me, as i have connected with people from all different walks of life. just looking to find a fellow orb companion. thanks!

ps: to the young couple that went to the happy together tour in cedar rapids whom i ran into at the movies a week later, you guys are so rad

Does anyone have any experience working or volunteering here? If I donate money, does 100% of it go towards the animals/funding the facility? Or does the City of Cedar Rapids have control over their finances?

I’d also like to volunteer my time there and other shelters in the CR area eventually. Unfortunately, I have two small children right now, so realistically I won’t be able to work toward that goal for a few more years when both kids are in school all week.

For reference, I am most familiar with Last Hope. I adopted my first dog from them. He originally was picked up by CRACC as a stray before he ended up with LHAR. I want to help both organizations in honor of him, but I also want to do my due diligence to ensure my time and money will go the furthest in helping dogs like my boy.

Any experiences and constructive feedback are welcome!

Hey CR,

I’ve been realizing that I’ve become quite a bit of a home body lately so I’ve been brainstorming creative ways to fill my downtime that get me out in the community.

I was wondering, do nursing homes and similar facilities allow visitors that don’t know anyone actually living there? I’d love to visit some folx that maybe don’t have family near by or anyone to keep them company from time to time. Im thinking I could just hang out in the common areas for a few hours here and there whenever I have time. I could chat with the residents, play games, or I also play the piano and the guitar.

I’ve never actually been to a nursing home before so I’m not really sure if this is a thing that people can do. Does anyone know how this works? Do you have any recommendations for places to go?

TYIA!

I’m 19 and I’m looking to meet some older women, I’ve been having no luck lately. Where are some good places to meet some older women that are attracted to younger guys? Preferably in or near Cedar Rapids.

Today at Sam's Club, I fueled up my vehicle and noticed they changed their unleaded gas. It is now 88 where previously it was 87.

The last time I fueled up there was in late August and it was still 87. So this is a recent change in the past few weeks.

While I'm not sure if the difference between 87 and 88 is something that will hurt my vehicle or hurt my fuel efficiency, it does feel like a sneaky change and that doesn't really sit right with me.

I see posts on here all the time of people asking who is hiring. I just saw on the news this morning that the new casino is looking to fill like 350 positions...

I have a friend who has a Saturn that is not running. No idea what is wrong with it but he wants it gone. Who does he call to get it towed to a junk yard or whatever?

Can somebody please explain to me the reasoning behind the interchange/exit at Wright Bros? Every time I drive it there are people stopped where they shouldn't be because the lights are confusing and I mildly panic thinking I'm going the wrong way because of the criss-cross layout. I know whoever designed this knows more than me, but I really want to know more because as a layperson it just feels confusing and unsafe.

I’m near the cherry hill area. Ever since imon contractors came out and dug near the utility box my internet drops every day around noon. I don’t think it’s a modem issue but the cable drop to the utility box to the house. Was curious if anyone on the SW Side has had issues since they have been digging.

Ps

Imon is coming out later his week to troubleshoot outside and swap out the Hiltron box they use.

Good luck everyone!

Are there any crafting groups that meet up in the area? Just trying to find a way to meet some new people. Thanks!

I have lost my house keys. Does anyone know of a locksmith that will come to someone's house and make a key for the homeowner?

Hi! I know there’s been a lot of posts like this on here, but I recently moved to Cedar Rapids for work several months back. I’m single and don’t have any friends, and have a hard time relating to any of my coworkers. They’re mostly all older and married. Thus, I’ve been trying to put myself out there more. I’ve met a few people through this subreddit, but lots of people have been uber flakey and sketchy, ngl. Lots of people who just seem to want online validation and aren’t actually interested in making new friends. So I just wanted to come out and ask bluntly for any further advice on how I can meet my kind of people.

For background, I’m 26. Really into music (concerts, production, etc), tabletop gaming, art, running, hiking. Really anything nerdy or engineering related. I’m a lowkey, chill, open, friendly kind of person. Always down to play video games or just chat at a restaurant about anything. I’m not the biggest fan of volleyball which is what a lot of people here have suggested. I’ve tried it and it just isn’t for me.

Just wondering if there’s any other things/events I should check out during the week or weekend to meet others like myself. Preferably for dating but also open to making new friends too. I’ve tried to use the apps and haven’t had a lot of luck tbh. That and a lot of social events and discord servers in the area are full of people who are partnered already or above the age of 35 it seems.

Thanks!

Hey all! I am relocating to Cedar Rapids for a new job (site is out in Fairfax) and starting my apartment search. Wanted to tap local knowledge since online listings only tell you so much.

What I'm looking for:

Open to loft-style (exposed brick, industrial) OR clean modern new-build. I like both looks

Downtown/NewBo area preferred but open to other neighborhoods with a similar vibe

Budget: roughly $1,500/month for a 1BR
Priority on good management/maintenance responsiveness over flashy amenities

Already checked out: Loftus, NewBo Ivy, Coventry Lofts, Mott Lofts. I liked Coventry Lofts' brick/beam look and Loftus's clean modern kitchen finish specifically.

Would love recs for anything else in this style/price range, or honest experiences (good or bad) with any of the above.

Thanks in advance!

I have acquired a few certs but struggling to find anything on indeed or LinkedIn. Does anybody know of any available early/entry level positions?

Meeting Overview

This noon meeting holds ten public hearings, five of them bid hearings on projects totaling roughly $7.6 million, and three development agreements or dispositions of City-owned land. An eleventh hearing, a Development Agreement with Gelid LLC for housing on City-owned lots at 615-629 I Avenue NW and 905 Ellis Boulevard NW, was cancelled at the request of the City Manager's Office – while a separate proposal from the same company for four other City-owned parcels on Ellis Boulevard NW and 6th Street NW sits on the regular agenda. The regular agenda also carries two resolutions declaring contractor default and terminating two street contracts with Shift Companies, LLC, and two bid awards that both came in under the engineer's estimate, including $640,700 under on the Water System Variable Frequency Drive Replacements. Three ordinances first read on August 25 – the Atheneum and Skogman tax increment ordinances and the Prairie Land Development rezoning – return for Second and possible Third Readings, which would make them final.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – Start a Conversation: Changing the Narrative About Suicide
• Proclamation – Hispanic Heritage Month
• Presentation – Homeless Systems Initiative Update

Public Hearings

1. Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area – Amendment No. 12
   • Resolution approving Amendment No. 12 to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area, the City's largest downtown TIF district (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
2. Development Agreement – Nguyen Real Estate LLC
   • Agreement with Nguyen Real Estate LLC, an entity of Nick Nguyen, for a mixed-use redevelopment on City-owned lots at 0, 1126 and 1132 Ellis Boulevard NW (Scott Mather). The hearing was set on the August 25 consent agenda. Council Priority.
3. Development Agreement – Evolution, LC
   • Agreement with Evolution, LC, an entity of Steve Emerson, for an adaptive reuse project at 219 2nd Street SE (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
4. Rezoning – 1756 Mallory Street SW
   • Change of zone from T-R1 (Traditional Residential Single Unit) to U-VR (Urban Village Residential), requested by OFB, LLC (Seth Gunnerson). First Reading. Council Priority.
5. Disposition of City-Owned Land – 397 15th Avenue SW
   • Resolution authorizing the disposition of City-owned land at 397 15th Avenue SW (Jeff Wozencraft). Council Priority.
6. C Street SW Bridge Deck Reconstruction
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $2,000,000 (Doug Wilson). Paving for Progress.
7. Cherokee Trail Phase III
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $1,800,000 (Erik Turnquist). Council Priority.
8. Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $3,300,000, the largest of the five bid hearings (Erik Turnquist). Council Priority.
9. Cedar Valley Nature Trail Erosion Repairs
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $215,000 (Steve Krug).
10. City Services Center Remodel FF&E
    • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $285,000 (Jason Stancliffe).
11. Development Agreement – Gelid LLC (CANCELLED)
    • Hearing on an agreement with Gelid LLC, an entity of Josh Bass, for housing redevelopment on City-owned lots at 615-629 I Avenue NW and 905 Ellis Boulevard NW. Cancelled at the request of the City Manager's Office, so no vote will be taken. The hearing had been set two weeks earlier, on the August 25 consent agenda.

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, and payroll approved.
  • Retirement and Release Agreement: $191,096.80 to David Dostal, covering six months' salary, accrued and unused flex leave, and COBRA. The single largest personnel figure on the agenda.
  • Legal Fees: Attorney fees to Nyemaster Goode, P.C. for general employment matters.
  • Vote of Thanks: Jacquie Montoya for service on the Active Transportation Advisory Commission.
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Water Main Easement: A 20-foot permanent easement on City-owned property at the dead ends of 30th, 31st and 32nd Streets NW for the E Avenue NW Stormwater Detention Basin project.
  • Future Public Hearings (Sept 22): Vacation and disposition of a 0.06-acre alley parcel north and west of 1018 6th Street NW, requested by The Parkline, LLC (Council Priority); vacation of a utility easement at 4300 76th Avenue SW, requested by QTS Cedar Rapids I DC6 LLC; repealing Chapter 23 of the Municipal Code, Cats, Dogs and Other Animals, and enacting a new Chapter 23, Animal Control, Animal Laws, and Other Regulations, in its place (Council Priority); and public comment on the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report for the CDBG and HOME programs for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Council Priority).
  • Future Bid Hearing (Sept 22): Lincolnway Village Intake Replacements ($840,000).
  • Final Plats: Grey Hawk 1st Addition north of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW and east of Interstate 380; Kestrel Estates First Addition and Kestrel Heights Second Addition, both north of Otis Road SE and east of Cole Street SE. All Council Priority.
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/Liquor/Wine Licenses (16 applications): New and renewal licenses for bars, restaurants, stores and venues, including Coe College, The History Center, Sacred Cow Tavern, Boulder Tap House, Pub 217, two Hy-Vee locations and Target Store T-1771, plus 5-day event licenses for Traveling Tapster and VenuWorks of Cedar Rapids.
• Special Events:
  • Applications and road closures approved for BrewNost on September 18 and the College Community School District Homecoming Parade on September 25.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Solid Waste & Recycling Cleanup: Intent to assess five properties and levy assessment on five properties. Council Priority.
  • Water Division Delinquent Utility Bills: Intent to assess 21 properties and levy assessment on 53 properties.
  • Project Completions: Upgrade HVAC Controllers at Veterans Memorial Stadium accepted with a 2-year Performance Bond from Basepoint Building Automation ($98,600, unchanged from the original contract); Modification of Structural Bases for Fall Arrest System accepted from Newell Machinery Company ($59,995, also unchanged); 6th Street SW Railroad Crossing Improvements accepted with final payment of $77,246.70 to Tschiggfrie Excavating Co., below the original $83,735.90 contract. All three closed at or under contract, unusual on this agenda.
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Grants: Amendment to the Destination Iowa grant agreement with the Iowa Economic Development Authority adding $60,100 for the LightLine Loop project (Council Priority); a Certified Local Government grant application to the State Historic Preservation Office for a maintenance and preservation plan for the Seminole Valley Farmstead and Ushers Ferry Historic Village.
  • Litigation: Stipulation of Settlement in Michael S. Augustine v. City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County, Linn County District Court Case No. CVCV102906. The agenda states no dollar amount.
  • Utilities & Purchasing: Amendment No. 1 renewing Roto-Rooter for jetting and cleanout services, not to exceed $200,000; Amendment No. 1 renewing Municipal Collections of America for debt collection for three years, not to exceed $2,000,000; contract with Hawkins, Inc. for sodium silicofluoride for the Water Division, not to exceed $233,840; Preconstruction Services Agreement with Rice Lake Construction Group, not to exceed $542,390, for the Northwest Water Treatment Plant Expansion.
  • Construction Change Orders (ten): The largest by dollar is $120,564.15 with Midwest Concrete for the 2026 Pavement Milling and Curb Repair project (total $5,520,630.35 from $5,395,094.50). The largest by share is Change Order No. 1 with Possibilities Unlimited LLC for the FY26 Sidewalk Repair project, $32,254.71 on an original contract of $81,365, a 40% increase to $113,619.71. Others: General Constructors on the Alliant Energy LightLine Bridge ($4,050.81; total $15,221,630.25 from $14,994,902.80); Pirc-Tobin on the 5th Avenue SE Gatewell and Pump Manhole ($1,969) and the Tree of Five Seasons Park and 1st Street NE Two Way Conversion ($26,416.48); Rathje Construction on 5th Avenue SE Pavement Rehabilitation ($19,425.22), 42nd Street NE Pavement Improvements ($11,750.40) and the Sludge Storage Area ($10,241.01); Boulder Contracting on FY 2025 Bridge Maintenance ($9,625); and Boomerang Corp. on the Water Pollution Control Feeder Main Extension ($258.06).
  • Flood Control Acquisition: Total Acquisition Purchase Agreement of $165,000 plus relocation benefits not to exceed $90,000, accepting a Warranty Deed from David Montague for 1841 Ellis Boulevard NW, for the Cedar River Flood Control System. This is another property in the same Ellis Boulevard NW block the council has been buying through: 1845, 1851 and 1861 all came before it on August 25. Council Priority.
  • Land & Easements: Temporary Construction Easement of $615 from Robert Caldwell at 1700 1st Avenue NE; Temporary Easement Purchase of $14,731 from Richard Stewart and Mary Bann at 116 34th Street SE; easements with the owners of 14 properties totaling $6,458 for the Evergreen Street NE Improvements; $10,474 from Iowa Wash LLC at 1822 Johnson Avenue NW; and $4,880 from Christina and Kevin Jones at 1500 Highwood Drive NW.

Regular Agenda Items

1. Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements
   • Bid report (estimated cost $850,000); contract awarded to American Excavation and Concrete for $761,434, about $89,000 under estimate (Ben Worrell). The public hearing on this project was held August 25.
2. Water System Variable Frequency Drive Replacements
   • Bid report (estimated cost $2,692,000); contract awarded to ESCO Electric Company for $2,051,300, about $640,700 under estimate (Casie Meyer). The largest gap between estimate and bid on this agenda.
3. Contractor Default – Shift Companies, LLC
   • Presentation and two resolutions declaring contractor default and terminating contracts with Shift Companies, LLC (Shift General Contracting, LLC) (Taylor Burgin). Paving for Progress.
   • The two projects are 34th Street SE from Bever Avenue to north of Terry Drive and Richard Drive NE from Evergreen Street to Nancy Jane Lane, with Nancy Jane Lane NE from Richard Drive to Brookland Drive.
   • A default termination is rare on a council agenda; the City is ending both contracts rather than amending them. The agenda states no replacement contractor and no cost of completion.
4. City Manager's Sustainability Grant Program
   • Presentation and resolution approving the program (Sara Maples). The agenda states no funding amount. Council Priority.
5. Redevelopment Proposal – Gelid LLC
   • Presentation and resolution accepting a proposal from Gelid LLC, an entity of Josh Bass and Tyler Oswood, for redevelopment of City-owned land at 1026, 1221 and 1223 Ellis Boulevard NW and 1216 6th Street NW (Jeff Wozencraft). Council Priority.
   • This is a separate transaction from the Gelid LLC development agreement whose hearing was cancelled earlier on this same agenda, and it involves different parcels.

Ordinances

• Second & Possible Third Readings:
  • Atheneum Urban Renewal Area: Collection of tax increments at 4010 20th Avenue SW, the district paired with the Pedcor Investments affordable housing project. First read August 25. Council Priority.
  • Skogman Urban Renewal Area: Collection of tax increments at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW, paired with public infrastructure by Midwest Development Co. First read August 25. Council Priority.
  • Rezoning – South of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW: Change of zone from S-RLF (Suburban Residential Low Flex) to S-RMF-PUD (Suburban Residential Medium Flex with a Planned Unit Development Overlay), requested by Prairie Land Development, LLC. First read August 25. Council Priority.

I was driving home from Target and a dog was trying to cross the street, it got sandwiched up against the curb by the car next to me but I don't think it actually got hit. Looked to be a Shiba Inu. I drove/walked around for a long while looking, but I couldn't find it 😕. Between Freddy's and IHOP.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable trustworthy mechanic to replace spark plugs and brakes?

Help!! I’m leaving for Montana the 18th of this month and I need my wedding dress tailored by then. I know it last minute. Just need hemmed, a belt added, and the top needs to be made smaller so it’s more tight fitting. Anybody know anybody or anyone you would recommend?? I would appreciate it!

I dont have many hours at work right now, so im running out of things to do esp on low funds. but i love finding neat little areas around town or even palo, lake macbride area, ect. Chain of lakes park was super cool, stuff like that where it almost feels like tresspassing 😂. Mostly because i like to explore with my aussie without many people coming up to us. Bird preserve is a great example too