Richard Pratt's stories

Tower Terrace Road Marion

Development moratorium for certain portions of Marion being lifted

The moratorium on certain types of developments along some of the busiest commercial corridors in Marion is being lifted – with one exception. A moratorium will continue until Oct. 1 for the development of new gas stations along the Tower…

Capo Italian Beef opens inside NewBo City Market

A new restaurant featuring Italian beef and other Italian-inspired dishes is now open inside the…

Capo Italian Beef

Iowa gaming officials: Linn County casino application ‘on hold’

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, meeting Thursday at the Wild Rose Casino in Emmetsburg,…

A rendering of the proposed Cedar Crossing casino project

Despite two-year moratorium, developers unveil plans for Cedar Rapids casino complex

While acknowledging the likelihood that a two-year moratorium on new casino licenses will be enacted,…

A rendering of the proposed Cedar Crossing casino project

Cedar Rapids conference speaker: Economic growth rooted locally

As a native of the Chicago suburb of Matteson, Illinois, Dr. Keith Taylor said it…

Dr. Keith Taylor

Hy-Vee, Worley plan new warehouse facilities in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday unanimously authorized city financial incentives for two new…

Hy-Vee warehouse

New memory care development in CR to begin construction 

Construction is set to begin soon on a new housing development in northeast Cedar Rapids…

Report: 53.1% of Iowa real estate agents are female, below U.S. average

The residential real estate sales profession is dominated by women, but the percentage of female…

Home sales homeownership 2023

Council votes to advance Cedar Rapids Country Club expansion plan

Indicating they felt confident previously-expressed concerns had been adequately addressed, the Cedar Rapids City Council…

A rendering shows the proposed design of the Cedar Rapids Country Club expansion indoor tennis facility.

Proposed casino license moratorium upsets Cedar Rapids supporters

UPDATED: Supporters of a proposed Cedar Rapids casino are decrying a measure approved by the…

roulette wheel casino game

Raptors FC launching indoor soccer teams in Cedar Rapids

Professional indoor soccer is returning to Cedar Rapids. Officials with the Iowa Raptors FC and…

Officials re-evaluating Marion Airport’s future plans

Plans for possible renovation and expansion of the Marion Airport are now in limbo, as…

Marion airport

Linn County official asks NextEra to consider raising Duane Arnold Solar panel heights

Most of Thursday’s Technical Review Committee meeting to review NextEra Energy Resource’s rezoning applications for…

Members of the Linn County Technical Review Committee discuss details of the Duane Arnold Solar projects with NextEra Energy representatives during a committee meeting Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the Jean Oxley Administrative Office Building in Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

Buff City Soap to open second Cedar Rapids location Thursday

Buff City Soap, a handmade retail franchise known for its plant-based soap and body products…

Buff City Soap Blairs Ferry

New McDonald’s coming to former bank site along First Avenue near Lindale Mall

Construction is under way on a new McDonald’s restaurant at the former site of a…

Construction work continues for a new McDonald's restaurant at 4520 First Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

New flex warehouse coming to southwest Cedar Rapids

A new flex warehouse building under construction along Interstate 380 on the south side of…

flex warehouse