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Featured Stories
– Cedar Rapids secures $56 million in federal grant to fund Eighth Avenue Bridge replacement
– Iowa women's basketball returns to national championship game with come-from-behind win over UW
– Higley House in Cedar Rapids could become a residential rehab facility for drug use treatment
Episode transcription
$56.4 million in federal funds will soon support the replacement of the Eighth Street Bridge in Cedar Rapids
And then, Iowa women's basketball returns for a national championship
Additionally, Higley Mansion in Cedar Rapids could become a residential rehab facility for drug use treatment
Welcome to the weekend edition of the Gazette Daily News podcast. This is the latest breaking news you need to know about Eastern Iowa news. I'm Bailey Cichon.
First, Cedar Rapids secured $56.4 million in federal funding to replace the Eighth Street Bridge. Bridge replacement is an important part of the city's permanent flood control system. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's PROTECT grant program and supports an estimated $76.1 million project. Cedar Rapids officials have lobbied for years to secure federal funding, but the project has remained unfunded until now. The new bridge is an elevated single-bridge cable-stayed bridge designed for a 100-year service life. This improvement will limit the need to evacuate areas behind completed flood control systems. It will also improve trail access and expand connectivity across the river.
The funding was announced through the office of Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. Grassley was the only Republican in Iowa's congressional delegation to vote in favor of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. This legislation provides funding for grant programs that cities apply for.
Then, on Friday night in Cleveland, the Iowa State women's basketball team defeated UConn 71-69. Hannah Stuelke scored a game-high 23 points. Caitlin Clark had 21 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Iowa State will face undefeated South Carolina on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Second, the Higley mansion has been vacant for several years. Now, the former elderly facility could become a residential rehabilitation house that would provide voluntary treatment to people suffering from substance use problems. Under the proposal filed this week, the property, located at 860 17th St. SE, would be used as a residential inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment facility with 35 to 45 beds. The treatment facility will be operated by Covenant Family Solutions. On Thursday, the City Planning Commission unanimously approved rezoning the property. It still requires conditional use approval from the Board of Adjustment.
The facility will have a closed campus. Covenant Family Solutions CEO Jacob Christenson said the company will be staffed 24 hours a day and is estimated to create about 45 new jobs. The facility will be open only to people 18 and older and will be co-educational, with separate floors for boys and girls.
Mike Bales, an investment partner at developer Darnovan Builders, said the planned work would include landscaping and room refurbishment. Mr Bales said: “From the outside, it's going to be the Higley Mansion that everyone knows today. It's going to get better.” End quote.
Read the full story at thegazette.com.
Finally, let's take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids. Saturday will be cloudy. The expected high temperature is 54 degrees and the low temperature is 41 degrees. Rain is expected on Sunday. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 54 degrees and the minimum temperature is expected to reach 44 degrees. Monday will be cloudy with a high of 64 degrees.
Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Get the latest news from Eastern Iowa at Gazette.com. I'm Bailey Cichon.
Comment: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com
