Council designates historic pharmacy on Ellis Boulevard as local landmark

The Cedar Rapids City Council on July 8 approved the first reading of an ordinance to designate the Charles H. Zastra (transcript variations noted) Pharmacy building at 1135 Ellis Boulevard NW as a local historic landmark.

Jeff Rosencraft of Community Development gave the staff presentation, recounting the building’s 1921 vernacular craftsman‑commercial origins and its association with Czech‑Slovak immigration and the development of the Time Check/Northwest neighborhood. He noted the building has been vacant since 2008 but retains mosaic tile, ornate masonry and interior ceiling tiling that support landmark criteria. The local historic preservation commission and the City Plan Commission recommended approval.

Nikki Halverson, board president of Save Cedar Rapids Heritage, described neighborhood efforts to preserve the building after the 2008 flood and said the designation would help protect a rare surviving commercial structure from that era. Rosencraft said local landmark designation does not restrict the property’s use but does require review of exterior repairs and opens eligibility for a local historic rehabilitation grant program (up to $10,000) and additional state and federal funding opportunities.

Council moved and carried the ordinance on its first reading. A final development agreement, grant applications or any rehabilitation work would return to council or the historic preservation commission as applicable.

What it means: The designation places the property’s exterior work under historic‑preservation review, makes it eligible for the city’s historic rehab grant, and preserves the building’s character for future redevelopment.