Cedar Rapids Council advances three housing projects totaling 68 units

The Cedar Rapids City Council moved forward three housing developments Tuesday that would add 68 units across the city, including a 43-unit affordable project on the northwest side, a four-unit duplex infill by Matthew 25, and 21 market-rate apartments above existing downtown businesses.

The most substantial proposal comes from The Parkline LLC, an entity of developer Tyler Oswood, which plans a $7.85 million investment on a city-owned site along Ellis Boulevard and Sixth Street NW between I and J avenues. The project would include 36 apartments across four multifamily buildings, one fourplex, and one triplex. All units except the triplex would be income-limited to tenants earning 80% or less of the area median income.

Construction is slated to begin in late 2026 with completion expected in 2030. The city would sell the land to the developer for $1.

"In this area of the community that was so devastated in the 2008 flood, this is the kind of development that I was hoping would come back to the neighborhood," Council member Ann Poe said. "I like the uniqueness of (these units), and I like the feel that they are almost like individual homes."

The Council also preliminarily approved rezoning for Matthew 25's four-unit project — two duplexes at the corner of J Avenue and Eighth Street NW.

Downtown, developer Steve Merson intends to invest $4.1 million to convert the top three floors of 219 Second St. SE into 21 market-rate rentals. Business attraction project manager Scott Mather said Cobble Hill, Stack Wellness Cafe, and other ground-floor tenants will remain unchanged.

Exact vote tallies for each agenda item were not disclosed. Construction timelines for the Matthew 25 and downtown projects have not been announced.