Iowa City Comprehensive Plan
I'd love to see the city update its zoning code to encourage "missing middle" developments - four plexes, 8 plexes, 12-unit, and other mid-rise buildings near key commercial intersections and throughout the city. Some areas to consider: South…
While Iowa City has a solid lineup of parks, the city is badly missing a fully inclusive "miracle" playground, similar to projects in the Twin Cities, Ankeny, and Davenport (which has a fully inclusive ball diamond). I'd love to see this…
As home to one of the oldest Pride celebrations in the country, Iowa City deserves at least one LGBTQIA+ pride crosswalk, particularly downtown, or located in a walkable neighborhood. This could be commissioned by Iowa City Pride in coordination…
While Iowa City has greatly improved its outdoor recreation year round, we're still missing a dedicated refrigerated outdoor ice skating ribbon/rink. I've seen several cities of all sizes build ones with public and/or private funding and that double…
Building on Iowa City's strong and growing bike network, I'd love to see larger, city branded (perhaps black and gold?) bike signage, akin to what many other cities larger and smaller than Iowa City have. These would be placed throughout town, but…
A missing link in Iowa City's dynamic food and culture scene is a public market, akin to the Madison Public Market (Wisconsin), Malcolm Yards Market (Minneapolis), and the Flint Indoor Farmers Market (Michigan). I'd love to see it anchored by a…
I would love to see the city enter into partnerships with local and regional restauranteurs to operate seasonal restaurants and cafes at parks, akin to what Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Chicago do.
We need more transparency and accountability about whose ideas are being heard and how they’re actually shaping the plan—in this process and all city planning processes moving forward. To build real trust, inclusion & equity, I encourage the planning team to: 1. Track who’s missing from participation—especially caregivers, people with nontraditional work hours, and residents facing barriers like language access or lack of transportation. Then set clear, measurable goals to reach and include…
I would love to see the city recognize that the living world around us has a right to space and to exist just like we do, and incorporate into development accordingly. The family of sandhill cranes that has nested in the South District for decades shouldn't be evicted to make room for more housing. Birds that migrate through the area deserve safe places to stop and rest. Rusty-patched bumblebees and Monarch butterflies deserve places they can live, too. Preserving open spaces for plants and…
While we have great parks in Iowa City, I would love to see the addition of shade over the actual playground. Most times in the summer we are not able to utilize them as they get so hot to the touch. I would also love to see splash pads or water features added to other parks. James McPhearson, City Park and Mercer Park all have ample space for these and would be a fantastic addition.
I am on a committee that was trying to establish a co-housing pilot project pairing a Grad Student with a Senior. We found a great company to manage it, we have seniors and grad students interested, but lacked the approx $100,000 to get the pilot project off the ground. I am not sure of the status of the project right now.
I can't believe that we don't even have a waiting list anymore for low to moderate housing for seniors. A waiting list that was 4 yrs long was a joke. Why can't we follow CR lead and start adding more affordable housing for seniors. When big complexes are built request developer have a building or a section or floor for seniors. Have a modular home community for seniors Saddle Brook is a great area, but manufactured homes are harder to finance vs modular homes. They have great smaller modular…
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Level 1
Increase walkability with small, locally-owned businesses where neighbors can meet and get basic provisions
Level 2
maybe an example would be like the Jabez Cafe inside of the Church of Nazarene near Mercer Park, it serves as job training for people with disabilities. Or like Deluxe on Summit St!