The Space 109 update submitted to Cedar Falls, offers hope of restoring nuisance building (2024)

CEDAR FALLS — A plan is in place to restore The Space 109, a downtown building formally declared a nuisance two months ago.

The support is there, too, as evidenced by an online fundraising campaign that has already collected thousands of dollars.

Kendalle Alquwaie, who is leading the effort, provided the city with a 14-page “update” The Courier obtained through a public records request. She submitted it March 18, the deadline for the plan set by the City Council.

The document said the primary goal is “saving the building from being torn down and becoming a parking lot.”

“Therefore I would like to begin with restoring aspects that need to be completed regardless of what the final purpose” of the building may be, she wrote.

She and her team of volunteers have aspirations of using The Space 109 building, 109 E. Second St., for its previous purpose of a gallery on the ground floor and also has a newfound vision in mind.

They are open to relocating if that’s deemed to be the better option though.

“If we were to sell the building, we are wondering how much control we could potentially have over keeping it a local small business that would be able to benefit the community,” Alquwaie wrote.

Demolition is viewed as a worst-case scenario, as officials say they will work with the property owner to address the issues. It’s not a direction the city has pursued in at least the last six years, said Jamie Castle, city building official.

The challenges largely stem from the upstairs living quarters, home to late founder John Jacobs. That may be converted into an approximately 900-square-foot art studio with programming to help pay for future operating costs. Jacobs previously covered a lot of the overhead himself, according to Alquwaie.

The building reportedly dates back to the mid-1800s. There was a list of structural and sanitary concerns expressed by the city that led to the start of the condemnation and removal process, authorized in Chapter 7 Article II of the city code.

Alquwaie and her team documented extensive work and brainstorming already completed and underway.

They continue to network and meet with several professionals and stakeholders – including Community Main Street and America’s Small Business Development Center at the University of Northern Iowa. The group is also working with Peters Construction and expects a structural engineer to evaluate the building this week.

The GoFundMe page has raised $10,170 through 43 donations since being created Feb. 21, two days after meeting with the council, which made the nuisance declaration.

Other donations put funds raised at approximately $11,000 for what’s still estimated to be approximately $200,000 in work, Alquwaie said.

Supporters have organized “The Story of Art: a Costume Ball Fundraiser for The Space 109” from 7-10 p.m. May 11 at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St., and are expecting to raise at least $5,000.

“Our goal right now is raising the funds for the roof (replacement). We have a costume ball fundraiser scheduled for May 11, and are in the process of developing more fundraising opportunities,” Alquwaie noted in a message to The Courier on Thursday.

“I’m been surprised at the level of support and belief people have in my game plan,” she added by telephone. “People think it will be a great addition to the area.”