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City clears $7.02 million F Avenue NW levee and road realignment project; casino contributes $504,000
Summary
Council adopted plan specifications and contract authorization for the F Avenue NW and levy project, a flood-control and roadway realignment that includes a roundabout at the casino entrance, 104 new trees and utility relocations; construction will be phased to meet casino opening milestones.
The Cedar Rapids City Council adopted plan specifications and contract authorization for the F Avenue Northwest and levy project on July 22, a $7.02 million flood-control and street reconstruction project that will raise F Avenue over a new 689-foot levee and reconfigure nearby streets and ramps.
Rob Davis of Public Works described the project as "a flood control project" that will reconstruct F Avenue between First and Third streets, raise the road to cross the levee, and realign ramps and intersections to include a roundabout at the casino entrance. He said the project includes 104 new trees under the city's relief tree program, sidewalk and trail improvements, utility relocations and street reconstruction.
Funding and schedule: the estimated cost is $7,020,000. Flood control bonds are the primary funding source ($6,248,000), with additional contributions from the water utility for utility relocations and a $504,000 participation by the Cedar Crossing Casino to upgrade an intersection to a roundabout. The contract start date is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025; a milestone calls for opening the roundabout at the casino entrance by Nov. 15, 2025, ahead of the casinos planned opening; final completion is scheduled for Oct. 30 (year listed in contract schedule).
Council and staff said the flood-control features will be visually integrated into the streetscape. Davis said the design will "blend into the background" and highlighted the projects landscaping and pedestrian amenities. Bids were scheduled to open in early August and public hearings on plan specs were completed with no objections on July 22; the council approved the resolution to proceed.
Why it matters: the project combines flood-control infrastructure with transportation improvements intended to improve access to a major new commercial development while adding urban-design elements and tree plantings. The phased schedule aims to coordinate construction with the casinos opening date.
