Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What's a Medical District?

The Medical District was the result of Vision Cedar Rapids 2007 and the 2009 Neighborhood Planning Process which developed districts to grow Downtown Cedar Rapids. A Medical District is a revitalization partnership committed to promoting a dynamic urban medical community to improve the quality of life, advocate for new business and jobs in the Medical District.

The major medical providers in Cedar Rapids are committed to developing Cedar Rapids as a medical destination.

A Medical District is where many healthcare needs are met in one area of downtown. It helps create activity, vitality and acts as a catalyst for business growth such as hotels, shops, restaurants, etc.

Cedar Rapids was just recently recognized as one of the top ten cities in the nation that delivers high quality, low cost health care by the Institute for Health Care Improvement. The desire is to continue medical excellence and develop a medical destination similar to what the Cleveland Clinic has established.

What's a Medical Mall?

A medical mall is a unique concept on the leading edge of health care. It's very similar to a "Retail Mall". It offers one stop medical services for patients and families. It has multiple entries and is built with the patient in mind for easy access, parking and amenities.

Why is a Medical Mall good for Cedar Rapids?

It's an important step in making Cedar Rapids a medical destination. It provides a new patient-centered, friendly environment, better coordination of specialty care, ability to offer new medical services to Cedar Rapids. And, it also attracts and supports new investment in Cedar Rapids.

Why establish a Medical District or Mall now?

There has been a vision of Cedar Rapids becoming a health care destination and growing the medical and business community for a number of years.

In 2007, the City of Cedar Rapids created the City's Vision Cedar Rapids Plan. The plan created areas of focus for development. One area listed as a priority was the "medical park".

The catastrophic floods of 2008 led to the creation of a neighborhood reinvestment plan that again reaffirmed the need for creation of a medical district.

But now, anticipated changes in the US health care system, requiring greater coordination and integration of patient care, along with investments of PCI, St. Luke's and Mercy are providing the catalyst for change that will make the Cedar Rapids Medical community competitive with other growing regional healthcare providers for patients and medical providers.

Why do we want the Medical Mall to remain downtown?

Physicians' Clinic of Iowa (PCI), the largest physician specialty group in Cedar Rapids, is looking to build a new Medical Mall in the heart of the medical district. PCI is looking to consolidate its five physician offices into one with the goal of developing a new model of care in Cedar Rapids.

The goal of the Medical District is to create a medical destination where high quality, low cost health care is delivered. It is ideal to keep all medical services located in one central area.

PCI has more than 250 patients and families seeking services in one hour, have more than 350 employees, and are looking to expand the medical services they currently offer.

Why does traffic on Second Avenue need to be redirected?

In order to revitalize and reshape the Medical District, it is imperative to think outside the typical city grid system or block just as the city has done for the new Federal Courthouse and Events Center.

The new Medical Mall requires more than 200,000 square feet and doesn't fit inside a typical city grid. A typical city block is roughly 90,000 square feet. A traffic study is being conducted and results will be presented in August.

It is important to mention that In the various plans and reports that the city has conducted in the past, it has been mentioned multiple times that "improvements come at some expense to vehicular traffic" and "The one-way system is no longer necessary, it causes confusion and is counter productive to a pedestrian friendly neighborhood."

If Second Avenue traffic is not redirected, will this be a deal breaker for the Medical Mall or the medical district?

PCI would have to re-evaluate its' options which does include building the Medical Mall in another location rather than in the downtown medical district.

Is the Medical District and Medical Mall two separate projects?

Yes, they are two separate projects but losing the Medical Mall to another location would impact the progress and momentum for a consolidated Medical District.

What will happen to the five buildings PCI will vacate?

The Medical District would work diligently to attract new businesses for the success of the district. Having prime, available office space in the district brings new opportunities for additional medical providers or businesses to enter the Medical District.

What is the status of the traffic study?

The traffic study is underway and will be completed in August 2010.

Are we trying to create a medical monopoly?

NO! We are trying to create a medical destination in which a new model of patient care is delivered. This means better coordinated care among medical providers, less fragmented care for both the patient and doctors. A new model of patient care means the patient is at the center of the care for a better patient experience.

What is the role of UIHC in the district?

UIHC is not currently involved in this project.

Won't this Medical Mall/District drive up medical costs even more than they are now?

The concept of the Medical District and Medical Mall is to consolidate services into one area and avoid duplication of services. The overall goal is to offer patients a new model of care that is offers the same quality medical care in a convenient patient setting.

Cedar Rapids was recently recognized as one of the top ten cities in the nation that delivers high quality, low cost health care by the Institute for Health Care Improvement. The desire is to continue offering high quality, low cost health care and also create a medical destination similar to what the Cleveland Clinic has established.

When will demolition begin on the purchased properties?

Demolition will begin as soon as PCI has confirmation from the City officials in regards to the building layout.

Why wasn't the closing of Second Avenue mentioned last fall when PCI made the announcement that it was going to build?

The overall building layout of PCI has changed since the announcement last fall as projects of this size and magnitude do.

Why don't you just build a skywalk?

PCI has looked into multiple alternatives and feel the building plan they have outlined best serves the needs of their patients and the Medical District. Mike Sundall has mentioned that the current price tag for a skywalk is at least one million dollars.

What do you want me to do?

Help educate and communicate to others the importance of the Medical District and what a Medical Mall could do for the development of Cedar Rapids. We need your letters of support to be given to the City Council as well as letters to the editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

For the future development of the medical district and the revitalization of downtown Cedar Rapids, it would be unfortunate to have an important anchor such as PCI not settle in the heart of the district.