12th Avenue Pump Station

Located just east of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, the 12th Avenue Pump Station in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a major piece of the city’s $750 million permanent flood control system.

This new pump station is the largest in Cedar Rapids, with four 42-inch vertical mixed-flow pumps capable of moving more than 145,000 gallons per minute. Its companion detention basin allows the station to store and release peak stormwater flows more efficiently, reducing long-term operational costs and footprint.

Early in construction, Wendler collaborated with the city and engineering team to identify opportunities for cost savings without sacrificing durability or performance. Key value engineering changes included removing Xypex admixture from the concrete mix, switching from epoxy-coated to black rebar, and eliminating a roof section that would have required a custom oversized hatch. These adjustments significantly reduced cost and procurement challenges while preserving long-term function.

As part of the sitework package, Wendler crews also installed a complex storm sewer network with multiple pipe sizes, stabilized the riverbank with riprap, and coordinated paving and landscaping activities tied to the relocation of Riverside Park and a new skatepark—all essential parts of the city’s broader flood mitigation and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

When complete, this project will not only protect thousands of Cedar Rapids residents and businesses from future flood events, but also provide the safety and security needed to fuel growth in the Czech Village and New Bohemia districts.