A preservation group is working to salvage pieces from another string of homes being demolished in Cedar Rapids. The homes in the 1400 block of C Avenue NE are being removed so Coe College can expand its campus. Save Cedar Rapids Heritage President Beth DeBoom says it’s unfortunate that so many buildings are demolished in the name of progress.
“Demolition is the last thing that we want to happen,” DeBoom said. “These were extremely well-built homes, affordable homes and the people who lived in them kept them up for the most part.” Before the homes are demolished, around a dozen volunteers are spending a couple of days stripping the homes of all useful parts.
“Trim, the doors, the hardware…the really quality materials you can’t find anymore,” DeBoom said. Those parts include valuable coal chutes wedged into the foundation of the homes, which were built in the 1930s. Save Cedar Rapids Heritage is looking for volunteers to help them salvage more materials from the homes.
Anyone interested in helping is asked bring tools and “dress to get dirty” today (Monday) from 6 to 9 p.m.
By Nadia Crow, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids