UPDATE 1/16: We now have a bit more information about who will eventually occupy the vacant Sears store near Lindal Mall in Cedar Rapids!

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that a "large national sporting goods retailer" will occupy the entire space. The identity of that retailer should be known by March. The Gazette reports that plans for an all-purpose year-round competition sports field are still moving forward as well. The old auto service bays from Sears will be demolished to make room for the field.

Construction is expected to begin in August and be completed by March of 2026.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: 

The old Sears store that sits vacant near Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids could soon have a new future.

The Corridor Business Journal reports that a new year-round, all-purpose sports field could be coming to the former Sears store with a price tag of $25 million. The Cedar Rapids City Council is expected to discuss a resolution of support for above-standard financial incentives for the project, according to the CBJ. The incentives would be provided under the Brownfield/Grayfield Economic Development program.

The redevelopment project is being proposed by Shops at Cedar Rapids LLC. The CBJ reports that the company purchased the former Sears building in January of 2024 for $3.4 million, according to records with the Cedar Rapids assessor. Reserve Development is listed as the developer for the project. Attempts to contact them for further information were not successful according to the CBJ. 

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The CBJ reports that the Cedar Rapids Sears store was the last remaining store in the Corridor. It closed in July of 2018. Since the building has sat vacant since then, the building required "significant remediation of contaminants" in order to allow for any redevelopment.

A similar project took place in Des Moines. The CBJ reports that Genesis Health Clubs purchased the former Sears store at the Southridge Mall in 2021. A new $13.5 million health facility opened there in September of 2024.

The Cedar Rapids project would create 110 full-time positions, according to the Corridor Business Journal. Construction would begin in August of 2025 with the project completed by March of 2026.

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