Council hears concepts, technical risks for reuse of old power plant on the Cedar River

City of Waverly officials on Feb. 3 heard a detailed presentation from Slingshot Architecture and partner engineers about possible reuses of the former power plant on the Cedar River and about the structural repairs the building would require.

The consultants presented concept layouts that mix river‑facing restaurant space, multipurpose event areas and small retail or co‑working spaces, plus site ideas such as patios, a small lawn amphitheater and improved trail connections. Slingshot said mixed uses are more likely to attract a development partner than a single large tenant.

Why this matters: the building projects a prominent downtown presence and sits immediately adjacent to the river and to City Hall. The council and consultants framed the work as a multi‑year, public‑private effort that will require stabilization of river‑facing walls and careful permitting because of river hydraulics and protected species.

Consultants described the structural issues and next steps. Slingshot and its structural partner said the north wall of the turbine/penstock area shows the worst concrete deterioration and that any stabilization will likely require either a cofferdam/build‑out or a wall that “sandwiches” the existing wall so it does not collapse…