Cedar Rapids leaders are setting plans in motion for dramatic changes to one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. The so-called Czech Village was the first working-class development in Cedar Rapids according to Doug Neumann of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.Neumann says the Czech Village improvements will be linked to areas nearby, including a landfill that’s just across the river.The landfill/compost facility will close in two years, and Neumann says the area can be redeveloped. Neumann says 750 Cedar Rapids residents completed a survey on the Internet, outlining what they’d like to see happen in the neighborhood. He says a couple of themes were recreation and open space, along with entertainment. He says they want things that will fit into the neighborhood.One of the ideas: an “extreme sports” park that would include white-water rafting and rock climbing. The Cedar Rapids City Council recently set aside about 180-thousand dollars to start the planning phase for the Czech Village improvements.
