The Cedar Rapids City Council on Sept. 9 approved the first reading of an ordinance vacating portions of B Street, 17th Avenue, 19th Avenue, 20th Avenue and associated alleys as part of the Light Line Loop park and redevelopment work, and adopted two resolutions granting underground electric easements to Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy).

Ken de Kiser, city engineer, told the council the vacation affects existing alley and street rights-of-way within the area known as the Light Line Loop. "All these city utilities within these former rights away and alleys have either been vacated or reconfigured to serve the future park facility and redevelopment sites," he said, and noted a forthcoming plat that will reserve greenway areas and development sites.

Public Works recommended approval of the ordinance on first reading and recommended adoption of the two easement resolutions. There were no public objections during the public hearings for the ordinance or the easement resolutions.

Council member Scott Olsen moved to approve the ordinance on its first reading; council member Van Orney seconded and the motion carried on the voice vote. The council then adopted the two resolutions granting underground electric easements to serve lighting and electrical needs for the Light Line Loop; one resolution was moved by Van Orney and seconded by Poe, and the other was moved and seconded by council members on the record and carried.

De Kiser said the easements cover several lot sections behind Czech Village and a section of former B Street that will be part of the Light Line Loop promenade. He said the city's work includes parking lot lighting, the promenade, and three development sites identified for future private development that will tie into the park.

The actions clear right-of-way for park development and authorize utility easements necessary to build lighting and electrical service for the Light Line Loop; the council approved the measures without public objection during the hearings.