Richard Pratt's stories

Inside Cedar Crossing: Latest construction photos and updated renderings
On course. On time. On target. That was the message Thursday afternoon, Nov. 20, as the developers of the Cedar Crossing casino in northwest Cedar Rapids provided a construction update for members of the media. Kim Pang, vice president of…
Cedar Rapids mayor asks in 2024 State of the City address: ‘What Is Your Why?’
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell chose a short but impactful quote from author Simon Sinek to encapsulate…

Hy-Vee announces initiatives to help residents impacted by First Avenue store closure
Hy-Vee officials have heard the concerns about the upcoming closure of the Hy-Vee store on…

SBA presents award to Cedar Rapids as Small Business Community of the Year
Leaders from the Small Business Administration gathered with Cedar Rapids officials May 17 to formally…

Hotel could be coming to New Bohemia neighborhood
The New Bohemia and Czech Village neighborhoods have never had a full-scale hotel to call…

Marion study: New approaches can address most Uptown parking issues
There are some parking concerns in Uptown Marion, based largely in specific areas and at…

Linn County supervisors set to consider wind energy ordinance update
Revisions to Linn County’s utility-scale wind energy ordinance are on their way to the county…

Water Pollution Control Facility upgrade deemed major ‘economic development’
The renovation of a city’s water treatment facility, no matter how extensive, is generally not…

Iowa’s first mental health awareness mural unveiled in MedQuarter in Cedar Rapids
The first mental health awareness mural in the state of Iowa was unveiled May 15…

Cedar Rapids officials: Time to move ahead from Hy-Vee First Avenue store closure
Cedar Rapids officials have reiterated their strong and emotional reaction to Hy-Vee’s unexpected decision to…

Hy-Vee closing Cedar Rapids First Ave. store June 23
Hy-Vee will be permanently closing its store at 1556 First Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids…

Study: Hiawatha could support full-service hotel
Hiawatha provides a solid and feasible market for a potential full-service hotel, according to a…

Farm & Home Mutual Insurance celebrates 150 years in Washington
There’s no real secret why the Farm & Home Mutual Insurance Association in Washington has…

State grant boosts renovation plans for former Dragon building
Developer Steve Emerson’s plan to renovate the former Dragon building in downtown Cedar Rapids has…

Data centers bringing big numbers to Iowa
Cedar Rapids area development leaders and policymakers have hailed the pending construction of a Google…

Open house celebrates Alliant solar garden; more likely in the works
Even as Alliant Energy leaders and customers touted the completion of Alliant’s first Iowa community…






