Bever Park Neighborhood Association

June 6, 2022
Re: Nuisance Properties

The Bever Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) works to enhance the quality of life of our community. We
applaud and follow the Cedar Rapids Neighborhood Service Delivery Initiative's stated goal of addressing community
concerns and strengthening relationships with neighborhood associations. The issues which are the subject of
this letter are precisely the types of issues which the Initiative prioritizes.

The BPNA supports the concerns of the MVNA and WHNA regarding chronically problematic landlords, property
owners and tenants. Unfortunately, there apparently has not been an effective process to address these issues. As an
example, it is our understanding that a rental property in our area, 2307 Bever Ave SE, generated over 800 calls for
service to CRPD in 2020-2021. Responding to these calls is an incredible drain on public resources. In addition, we are
very concerned for the significant risk that this single property poses to the safety of our neighbors.

In addition to problematic landlords, we are seeing an increasing number of property "flips" by the same owner
that bring their own set of problems. We have been advised of construction without permits, laborers who have been
shorted on wages resulting in heated public confrontations, and workers destroying work that has been performed due
to non-payment. We believe an example of this is at 322 Liberty Dr. SE.

In addition, we are advised that the property at 2159 Linden Dr. SE sat for months with construction debris,
materials, and a broken vehicle blocking a dumpster, allegedly blocked to prevent the dumpster owner from taking it
back because of a dispute. This property apparently generated multiple complaints from neighbors. The property at
2159 Linden Dr. SE sits adjacent to one of the primary entrances to Brucemore, a significant tourist destination in our
city. Obviously, it is important to think about the "welcome" that properties like this send to visitors to an historic
National Trust property in our city.

We are also advised that the new owner at 308 Forest Dr. SE is suing the flipper allegedly because a load
bearing beam was cut, apparently discovered when the owner opened the ceiling for a related issue. A neighbor to this
property recounted late night construction, disputes in the street which required a CRPD response, and multiple
complaints to the city. Beyond the time and expense involved with multiple police calls, it's also important to consider
the effects upon repeat calls to building inspectors, the impact on historic areas, the chaos and unease to neighbors, and
the precedent set for other property owners to be tempted to flaunt City housing ordinances.

There should be a solution to these types of problems. We hope that the City Council will closely
review these complaints and identify workable solutions. If current City Code provisions are available to
address these issues, we would ask that those provisions be enforced. If no code provisions currently exist to
address these issues, we would ask that the City Code be amended to allow for appropriate remedies.

Your consideration is appreciated.

BPNA Board of Directors