CEDAR FALLS -- Workers continue placing fill on the old Broom Factory Restaurant site, but the future of the site remains unsettled.

Both the Cedar Falls Historical Society and Community Main Street have recommended the city take its time deciding what to do with the property. They would like to see a long-range plan for the site.

Property owner Youri Dimitrov feels he has taken such concerns into consideration, compromised and met the city's expectations.

Dimitrov proposes two buildings with around 50 condominium units combined, as well as retail space and a restaurant.

Dimitrov's plan didn't make the Planning and Zoning Commission's agenda last month, in part because the panel was waiting to hear if the Chamber of Commerce is willing to give up its lease on land where its office sits. Dimitrov's plan calls for using both the Broom Factory and Chamber of Commerce sites.

On Monday, the Chamber of Commerce's board decided it will consider giving up the lease if a city-approved project emerges and the chamber is adequately reimbursed.

The city owns the land underneath the chamber building but the chamber owns the building.

Chamber of Commerce President Bob Justis said the board is still committed at this time to having a presence in Cedar Falls.

The city spent $40,000 in 1992 on its Vision 2020 plan on long-range uses for downtown property. The resulting map shows two buildings, similar to Dimitrov's plan, in the Broom Factory/Chamber of Commerce space. That plan showed specialty stores in the buildings.

Dimitrov said he showed the Vision 2020 plan in January when he met with representatives from Community Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce and the Cedar Falls Historical Society.

"I tried to explain that my proposal, my concept, matches exactly what they have down," Dimitrov said.

Community Main Street sent a letter to Mayor Jon Crews on March 21 asking for a thorough long-term planning process for the site.

"The city is also encouraged to revisit and update the 2020 long range plan to take into consideration recent changes in the site and our city. The value of a long range plan lies in the flexibility of that plan and the ability to adjust the plan to reflect changes in the environment in which the plan is to be implemented," said the letter.

On Monday, City Council members Tom Hagarty and Kamyar Enshayan expressed a desire to discuss the future of the site. The issue may come up during a special council meeting Monday.

Hagarty wanted to make sure the discussion digs into the issue.

"I just don't want that to be a 10-minute conversation," he said.

Contact Jon Ericson

at (319) 291-1461 or

jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.