CEDAR FALLS - Commissioners initially queasy about putting a plasma center in a Cedar Falls commercial district had their fears allayed during a Wednesday meeting.

The BioLife plasma center would be the first business in the commercial phase of Pinnacle Prairie, located along Viking Road east of the Wal-Mart Supercenter. A subcommittee of the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the request Wednesday in advance of next week's full commission meeting.

City staff had recommended against approving the plasma center because they felt it did not meet the acceptable uses for property in the HWY-1 commercial district.

They felt the HWY-1 district is intended for retail, not commercial, use. Commissioners initially cast a skeptical eye toward the proposal.

"I think it's kind of a stretch," said commissioner Mark Niedert.

BioLife brings in donors to give blood for use on a regional basis.

As commissioners heard descriptions of the BioLife business from developers, they seemed more swayed toward accepting it.

Ben Logsdon works for Build to Suit, a company working with BioLife on the proposed building. He said BioLife is a high-traffic operation suited to a commercial center such as the Viking Road corridor. According to Logsdon, the business brings in 1,500 to 2,000 donors per week.

"One reason they prefer a retail center is most of their patrons are working, they are busy, they fit a Wal-Mart demographic," Logsdon stated.

Ken Lockard of Lockard Development said the proposed building meets the Pinnacle Prairie design standards and would be an attractive addition.

"It will be the nicest building by far on the north side of Viking Road," Lockard said.

Logsdon and others supporting the project indicate the close proximity to Wal-Mart and the future Target store would be a draw for both customers and the business.

"It draws from people within driving distance, which is exactly what Wal-Mart and Target do," said Jim Sheerer, an attorney working with the Pinnacle Prairie development.

In the end, commissioner Phil Patton made the motion to move the proposal on to the full commission meeting.

"Thanks to the information I have less reservations than I did before, and I recommend we move it forward," Patton said.

Contact Jon Ericson

at (319) 291-1461 or

jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.