RIO Press Release
| For Immediate Release | Media Contact : |
| November 6, 2009 | Tina Potthoff |
IOWA CITY TO HOST THREE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS
Events Take Place Nov. 11-13
(DES MOINES) – A three-day workshop will be held in Iowa City on Nov. 11-13 to develop a vision, policy and implementation strategy for redevelopment of the Riverfront Crossings District, one of several areas affected by the floods of 2008.
The District is roughly bordered by Burlington Street to the north, Iowa Highway 6 to the south, Gilbert Street to the east, and the Iowa River to the west.
The workshop includes a kick-off presentation; listening sessions with stakeholder groups, citizens and community leaders; a walk-through of the district; a community open house; and a visioning and design workshop where stakeholders and citizens may provide input on development options for the district. The workshop provides an opportunity to plan for the redevelopment and recovery of the area, while creating a mixed-use, transit-oriented district. Workshop discussion will focus on incorporating a variety of housing types, orienting development to pedestrians and bicyclists, including green infrastructure and open space, and meeting the needs of the local community.
This workshop comes at a pivotal time for the district with the likely introduction of Amtrak passenger rail service linking Iowa City and Chicago; possible future light rail service from this area through the heart of the University of Iowa campus and downtown Iowa City to Coralville, North Liberty, and Cedar Rapids; discussions about relocating the Hancher-Voxman Music Building-Clapp Recital Hall complex to the area; and the desire to reclaim the riverfront in response to recent flooding.
The workshops will be lead by national experts in land use, transportation and community design. Iowa City is one of five Iowa disaster-impacted communities to receive technical assistance through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Smart Growth Program and is offered through a partnership between the EPA, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) and Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED).
The City and agency partners believe that redevelopment of this area can serve as a model for other cities in Iowa and the Midwest as they attempt to combine flood protection measures with Smart Growth concepts, including green infrastructure for storm water management, affordable housing and transit-oriented development.
Schedule of Public Events:
*All events will be at the Johnson County Human Services Building at 855 Dubuque St., 2nd Floor, Room 203, Iowa City. Please contact Karen Howard at (319) 356-5251 with questions.
Riverfront Crossings Public Kick-Off Presentation
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
Purpose: Present overview of the project and goals, present urban planning and transportation best practices concepts, and answer questions from the public.
Community Open House
Friday, Nov. 13, noon-1 p.m.
Purpose: Provide an opportunity for the general public to see initial drawings and development concepts for the District and to hear potential development policies.
Riverfront Crossings Public Input Session
Friday, Nov. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Purpose: Present preliminary development concepts, policy options for redevelopment of the district and gain feedback from the public to further refine a redevelopment plan and implementation strategy.
EPA, FEMA, RIO and IDED have partnered to support similar community workshops in New Hartford, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls and Coralville. Funding for these projects is provided by EPA and FEMA. The Smart Growth assistance builds upon recovery plans developed by FEMA’s Long-Term Community Recovery team and the RIO in the fall of 2008.
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