CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A vacant building in Cedar Rapids is set to become a drug treatment center.

On Tuesday, the Cedar Rapids City Council approved millions of dollars in tax incentives to help make this project a reality.

The building in question is the Higley Mansion, located at 860 17th St. SE.

It was a senior living center, but has been vacant since the 2020 pandemic.

The city council approved a resolution to provide a $4.6 million tax incentive for the project. The new tenant, Radix Recovery, would offer voluntary substance abuse programs for up to 88 people.

The treatment facility would be located in an area represented by council member Dale Todd, who said he understood the concerns but added he fully supported the project.

“I would say a project of this nature has the potential to become a controversial project. A project where the neighbors would say: “Not in my garden”. A project where board members would say, “Why are we financially involved in a project like this? “, said Todd.

Todd, however, said he was able to justify the project.

“The other models examined were non-profit organizations. If nonprofits were involved, no taxes would be generated. And it would be difficult for the city to financially commit to a project like that without dipping into general revenue. And so, in this case, I think it’s kind of a win-win for a lot of us,” he said.

No one addressed the Council to oppose the project.

Construction is expected to begin in January and be completed in August 2025.

The new facility is also expected to create 40 to 50 new jobs.

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