Not much has changed in the Cedar Rapids "Time Check" neighborhood in the past 17 months since it was buried in flood waters. The homes are still empty. The windows are still boarded. But as of today, Michael Clemons and other flood victims have a new mayor. "We definitely need a change," said Clemons. "Hopefully, it's for the better."
Mayor Ron Corbbett is another Republican who is taking the reigns. In July, the city got a new flood recovery director, Greg Eyerly. Eyerly compares the city to a scaled-down version of New Orleans. He compares the flood to a scaled-down version of Hurricane Katrina. 1,300 homes still need to be demolished. The Sinclair Business Park had 13 businesses swept away by the flood. None of them have re-opened. Eyerly said none of them ever will. A total of 187 businesses in Cedar Rapids are gone. Standing in front of an empty and destroyed warehouse, Eyerly said, "This is pretty much the way it was the day after the flood."
But for all its destruction, little pockets of Cedar Rapids show signs of rebirth. "I took a personal risk and gamble to bring these buildings back." said Baron Stark. Stark said he made a bet on the Czech Village's historical significance. He bought-up ten buildings, and he says Gov. Culver's "Jump Start" plan took away tenants' fears of leasing. "(The plan has) stimulated a lot of new growth down here. There's more business down here after the flood than there was before the flood." Eyerly agreed. He said, "The governor did make some very early quick-hitting decisions to get both funding and support into Cedar Rapids, and I think he did a good job and I think he continues to lobby for Iowa."
Eyerly said the hold-up is at the national level. Eyerly said that he, along with Gov. Culver and some of Iowa's congressional delegation are exasperated at Iowa's lack of support in washington. Eyerly said, "Sometimes it feels like President Obama's forgotten about Iowa... I don't know that the governor is getting the support he needs."
To date, more than $3.3 billion has been secured or promised through state and federal funding to Iowa. Just a few days ago, Iowa gained $516 million in the form of a Community Development Block Grant. The money from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development can be used for home buy-outs and other flood recovery expenses. Eyerly hopes the one thing in Iowa that is getting national attention... the Iowa Hawkeyes' undefeated football team, can re-focus some of the attention on the need at home. "I'd hope (The Hawkeyes) take that (message) with 'em. They're... (able) to show the rest of the country not to forget about us."
Mayor Ron Corbbett is another Republican who is taking the reigns. In July, the city got a new flood recovery director, Greg Eyerly. Eyerly compares the city to a scaled-down version of New Orleans. He compares the flood to a scaled-down version of Hurricane Katrina. 1,300 homes still need to be demolished. The Sinclair Business Park had 13 businesses swept away by the flood. None of them have re-opened. Eyerly said none of them ever will. A total of 187 businesses in Cedar Rapids are gone. Standing in front of an empty and destroyed warehouse, Eyerly said, "This is pretty much the way it was the day after the flood."
But for all its destruction, little pockets of Cedar Rapids show signs of rebirth. "I took a personal risk and gamble to bring these buildings back." said Baron Stark. Stark said he made a bet on the Czech Village's historical significance. He bought-up ten buildings, and he says Gov. Culver's "Jump Start" plan took away tenants' fears of leasing. "(The plan has) stimulated a lot of new growth down here. There's more business down here after the flood than there was before the flood." Eyerly agreed. He said, "The governor did make some very early quick-hitting decisions to get both funding and support into Cedar Rapids, and I think he did a good job and I think he continues to lobby for Iowa."
Eyerly said the hold-up is at the national level. Eyerly said that he, along with Gov. Culver and some of Iowa's congressional delegation are exasperated at Iowa's lack of support in washington. Eyerly said, "Sometimes it feels like President Obama's forgotten about Iowa... I don't know that the governor is getting the support he needs."
To date, more than $3.3 billion has been secured or promised through state and federal funding to Iowa. Just a few days ago, Iowa gained $516 million in the form of a Community Development Block Grant. The money from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development can be used for home buy-outs and other flood recovery expenses. Eyerly hopes the one thing in Iowa that is getting national attention... the Iowa Hawkeyes' undefeated football team, can re-focus some of the attention on the need at home. "I'd hope (The Hawkeyes) take that (message) with 'em. They're... (able) to show the rest of the country not to forget about us."
