Additional Funding for Block by Block in Cedar Rapids Iowa

June 13, 2008 brought flooding to Cedar Rapids. The flooding far exceeded the 500 year flood plan for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 2008 flooding covered more then 10 miles of the city. Buildings and homes were flooded, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. Over the past two years, some places have been able to rebuild and live or work again. However, not everyone was able to rebuild or come back, mostly due to financial reasons and the national recession. Pockets of Cedar Rapids, Iowa are left with flood damaged homes and businesses. The Block by Block Program has been created to help some neighborhoods.

The Block By Block Project began in July 2009. Block By Block began as a result of the historic flooding on June 13, 2008. Block By Block began to help uninhabited and unoccupied homes, as a result of the June 2008 flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Block By Block is a program that has helped Cedar Rapids, Iowa neighborhoods that want to rebuild. In 2009, eight Cedar Rapids, Iowa neighborhoods were helped and rehabilitated. The Block By Block Program plans to help sixteen additional Cedar Rapids, Iowa neighborhoods in 2010.

To involve your Cedar Rapids Iowa neighborhood in the Block By Block program, at least 60% of the properties must agree to participate. Each home owner makes their own choice if they want to rehabilitate to property to sell through a private sale, block by block or a city buy out or they can choose to stay. If a property is sold, the Block By Block Program will continue to work with the new owners to make sure the property is maintained. A neighborhood has input about what happens to their neighborhood with the help of Block by Block. Block By Block will only work with neighborhoods where the property owners want to work together and make a better neighborhood.

On August 30, 2010, Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced additional funding for the Block By Block program.