By Dave Franzman, Reporter
Story Created: Mar 10, 2009 at 5:38 PM CDT
Story Updated: Mar 10, 2009 at 6:14 PM CDT
CEDAR RAPIDS- One Iowa-based company with an office close to the Cedar River is banking heavily on the city's future flood protection plan.
Flooding claimed the office of Per Mar Security Services at 510 1st Street S.W. in June. But instead of giving up and moving elsewhere, the company razed the old building and rebuilt in the exact same spot.
One reason to stay in the same spot, about 100 yards from the Cedar River, is Per Mar is located directly across the street from the Cedar Rapids Police Department. For a company doing security work, it makes sense.
Per Mar workers began moving back into their rebuilt Cedar Rapids office this week. Before construction started, the company considered some flood prevention ideas--like elevating the building. But that would have doubled the cost. So Per Mar made a bet the company will stay dry behind the city's still-to-come flood walls and levees.
Per Mar operations manager Todd Parman said "so everything we have is brand new--we're fortunate our company has decided to invest in our future here."
But Parman said the reopening of the security services office could also be a symbol for the rest of the commercial area on 1st Street S.W.
Before the flood, a number of retail and commercial businesses were neighbors to Per Mar. The security company is the first to rebuild in the area and the hope is that might inspire others to return and rebuild.