Lure4.2017

Area residents reflect
on life in the heart of the
Corridor’s cities
PAGE 6
The Petersens enjoy relaxed loft living
in the Bottleworks Loft Condominiums.
PAGE 7
Since fall of last year, Shannon Beck and her
son Willem have embraced the simplicity and
perks of living near downtown Cedar Rapids.
eady or not, the world is becoming
more urban — and it seems the Corridor
is ready. According to the World
Health Organization’s Global Health
Observatory data, the global urban
population is expected to grow approximately
1.84 percent per year from 2015-2020.
Across the Corridor, the residents reflect
diverse populations. Retired people, young
professionals, empty nesters and single parents
all cite various reasons for moving to —
and loving — the urban lifestyle.
Shannon Beck, a single mom and life coach,
moved from the home where she grew up
on Cedar Rapids’ northeast side to a unit in
Village Lofts last fall. With an office in the
Cherry Building, her eyes were open to all that
downtown had to offer.
“I always wanted to experience loft-style living.
With a busy life, I love that I don’t have to
take care of the lawn or snow,” she said. “And
we love being near downtown.”
She and her son, Willem, enjoy riding their
scooters around town, and Ms. Beck likes being
close to lunch meeting options and the gym.
“I like the views of the river and the vintage
Quaker Oats sign. And who doesn’t love stone
counters and stainless appliances?” she noted
of the amenities in her unit.
Another plus: heated indoor parking. While
she now drives Willem to school every day,
they truly enjoy their commute together.
Historic haven
Across the Cedar River in the Bottleworks Loft
Condominiums, Cathy and Tom Petersen gave
in to their lifelong interest in having a cool,
historic urban space. Having lived near Omaha,
they were intrigued by the warehouse conversions
there. In 2015, as their kids left the nest,
they moved out of their Crescent Street home
in southeast Cedar Rapids and into two condos
they combined into one customized living space.
“We’ve been downtown people for years,”
said Mr. Petersen, who has worked at various
downtown companies.
“We go out to eat, go to the theater, CSPS,
the farmers’ market — we have always come
downtown for everything,” said Ms. Petersen,
who owns Wit’s End in Marion.
The couple appreciates their home’s history.
“It’s on the National Register and there was
a bakery on this floor,” said Mr. Petersen, who
serves on the condominium’s homeowner’s
association board.
The couple considered buying an acreage, but
found the scale of maintenance daunting. They
don’t miss snow removal or lawn care, plus they
use less gas, as Tom walks to work when he can.
When remodeling the units, they ensured
that their college-aged kids would have awesome
rooms. Plus, they added loft seating and
office areas. >
LUREOF THE CITY 7