KELLY SYDONIE VOWELS | Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2008 12:00 am
A great deal of discussion has taken place in the past months regarding the future of the former Broom Factory site. This unique site serves as the gateway to the downtown Cedar Falls business community and contains both public and private land. Decisions made today regarding its development will have an impact on downtown Cedar Falls for hundreds of years.
Cedar Falls Community Main Street is a volunteer, nonprofit organization established to foster economic vitality while preserving and promoting the historic image and character of the downtown. The downtown business district has come a long way over the last 20 years. It has taken a great deal of private and public investment, risk, dedication, hard work and community support. Cedar Falls Community Main Street supports development, and began working with the private property owners of The Old Broom Factory on August 29th, 2007. Initial discussions revolved around leveraging resources at local, state and national levels to assist in a renovation or restoration project of The Old Broom Factory.
Community Main Street supports development, but today we are at a crossroads with this proposed project. Decisions are being made that will have long-lasting impact. These decisions should only be made with careful consideration that incorporates the long-range vision of downtown Cedar Falls and complements the surrounding area. Encouraging development and even adding additional residential options is essential for taking the next step in growth and cultivating an added dimension to downtown.
There are approximately 160 businesses in this district. You will find more than 160 opinions about any topic you survey. Consensus, however, can be found in the respect for downtown and that is has been established as a destination location. Each building downtown is different, yet, together they create a flow of attributes that defines the downtown Cedar Falls business district. Any new development in this area should continue that flow and enhance the area. The vision and design should not be interrupted for the sole purpose of maximizing tax base on a 1.1 acre private lot. The design of any development and specifically the proposed development on the former Broom Factory site is essential to maintaining the character of the downtown business district. The city endorsed this philosophy with the adoption of the Design Overlay ordinance.
We must safeguard the unique attributes that aesthetically define the character of downtown. If the city of Cedar Falls did not recognize the distinction of this district, they would not have invested heavily in streetscape projects involving the design and establishing the location of place. Nor would they be trying to replicate the concept in the College Hill business district with a streetscape project.
Community Main Street has met with the developer's architect on an individual basis to discuss a variety of technical design concerns. The discussions included concerns on the massing and site issues; materials, rhythm, style, consideration for vertical elements to break up the mass of the building proposed; scale issues, material continuity using historical recall without duplication; emphasizing pedestrian access and connectivity to the surroundings. These issues and concerns have not been addressed.
Some would have the public believe the design proposed has been changed to accommodate these concerns adequately which is not the case. Some do not see the need for a structure that is compatible with its surroundings. Some have even likened the site location to an island, as if it stands on its own with no impact on its neighbors, or the obligation to meet the same developmental criteria.
Community Main Street strongly urges city staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission members, and council members to enter into a very careful consideration of the proposed site plan before any zoning changes are approved. This site is too prominent and important to downtown Cedar Falls to allow any other action. The city cannot give carte blanche approval with the idea of accommodating whatever design may come forth at a later date. If we sit back and allow anything other than an excellently designed project to proceed, we will do a great disservice to the people we serve in our unique business district. We owe more to visitors to our community, the customers who keep the downtown economy vital, and the citizens of Cedar Falls.
Kelly Sydonie Vowels is Executive Director of Cedar Falls Community Main Street.