CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Since the record 2008 flood inundated the Time Check area in northwest Cedar Rapids, Ajai Dittmar and Greg Vail have watched neighboring homes disappear one after another.
More than 17 years later, they’re seeking to hold onto their home along the Cedar River after the city of Cedar Rapids sent letters indicating they would begin acquisition proceedings.
Related: City using eminent domain to acquire Cedar Rapids man’s home
“We love this house,” Dittmar said of their residence at 1426 First St. NW, built in 1900. “We have big dreams here. This house is enchanting.”
Those dreams have been put on hold, for the most part, as they weighed making investments into a home that the city could eventually demolish; the fate of many others in their riverfront neighborhood.
A vehicle passes by the couple’s home in northwest Cedar Rapids, along the riverfront. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
When city officials sent a letter last month, indicating an appraiser would be inspecting their home to place a value on it, the couple responded by sending “cease and desist” letters to the city in December.
They have since followed the letters with a filing Jan. 2, 2026, for a court injunction to stop the proceedings.
The court filing claims the city is violating federal code by beginning the eminent domain process and asks for a restraining order against further actions, including utility disruptions.
Three years ago, the city noted in court documents that it intended to move forward with its West Side Cedar River flood control project by condemning properties when the owners refused to sell.
Officials began the process of eminent domain in January 2023 for a home at 1523 Fifth St. NW, the first in what they said at the time could be up to 20 such cases in the historic working-class Time Check neighborhood.
The Vail and Dittmar home stands alone for a stretch of blocks, where roads have been dismantled and sidewalks closed as the city’s flood control progresses.
Dittmar said she was attracted to the views of the river when they bought their home nearly 20 years ago, after they both spent most of their lives in the area.
The forthcoming Cedar Crossing Casino, scheduled to open Dec. 31, 2026, sits where her childhood home had been located. The casino also eliminated a number of other affordable homes in the Time Check neighborhood.
Homes demolished for the casino included those restored after the 2008 flood.
More: Cedar Rapids homes restored after flood demolished for casino
A sign notes the sidewalk has been closed next to the couple’s home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Questions sent to city officials were not answered on Jan. 2, the day after the New Year’s holiday. Public Works Director Brenna Fall was out of the office.
In 2008, the couple’s home, which features 9-foot ceilings on the main floor, was inundated with 7 feet of floodwaters. They have since brought the house back on their own.
“The city had the opportunity to buy the property before it was rebuilt, but they refused to spend their own money on it,” Vail noted. “In 17 years, the city has never offered me a single penny for my property.”
Read more: Playground removed in Time Check Park
CFR ยง 80.11 Project eligibility.
(a) Voluntary participation. Eligible acquisition projects are those where the property owner participates voluntarily, and the recipient/subrecipient will not use its eminent domain authority to acquire the property for the open space purposes should negotiations fail. #HMGP #FEMA #FederalLawsuit
Negotiations failed more than 15 years ago. We didn’t create the rules!