116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Marion planning for spring 2024 Central Plaza project groundbreaking
Also, Linn County accepting Witwer Trust Grant applications
While the city of Marion initially planned to break ground on its transformative $7.3 million Central Plaza this fall, city officials now anticipate breaking ground in the spring of 2024.
In a weekly memo to the community, City Manager Ryan Waller said city staff and Rinderknecht Associates met earlier this week to discuss the construction timeline for the project. The project will include water features, art, seating areas, fire tables and a refrigerated ice-skating loop during the winter. The Depot Pavilion in the park — which was built with the roof structure and bricks from the original train depot — will be enclosed with an event space, bathrooms and warming area for the ice-skating loop.
The city received $3 million through the Destination Iowa program — a state award using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds — earlier this year, which Waller said has required staff to navigate state and federal requirements to ensure the funding is not jeopardized.
“This decision provides clarity for the Parks and Recreation Department as they begin decorating for the holidays and will allow our winter events to activate the park,” Waller said.
Linn County accepting Witwer Trust Grant applications
The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now taking applications for the fiscal 2024 Witwer Trust Grant Program from eligible nonprofits in Linn County pursuing projects that benefit Linn County residents.
The online application, eligibility requirements and a list of frequently asked questions are available on the Linn County website at LinnCountyIowa.gov/Witwer. The application deadline is Dec. 15.
Funding for the competitive grant program comes from a trust established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979. The trust provides $80,000 a year for this grant program.
Mount Vernon Road reopens
Mount Vernon Road SE is now open to traffic from 14th Street to 20th Street, reopening a major Cedar Rapids street that has been partially closed for construction for months.
A two-year, $7.8 million project has been underway to improve the major east-west road between 14th and 20th streets SE. The project is funded by the 1 percent local-option sales tax approved by voters that supports Paving for Progress street repairs.
Work includes a new asphalt surface, intersection improvements at 15th Street and 19th Street SE, raised medians with concrete pavers and a new sidewalk on the south side of Mount Vernon Road between 15th and 19th streets SE.
Iowa City Council schedules listening post
Iowa City Council members have scheduled their next community listening post from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Iowa City Senior Center.
It will largely be held before a concert by the SoundReach Choir at the center, which begins at 6:30 p.m. that night.
The listening posts allow the community to engage with city leaders on topics that are important to them in an informal way. Two members attend each event and report back to the whole council on what they heard from the community during the discussion. There is no formal agenda or presentation planned.
For more information, questions or suggestions on future locations for listening posts, contact City Clerk Kellie Grace at kgrace@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5041.
Linn County assessor earns state award
Linn County Assessor Jerry Witt was chosen by his peers to receive the “Outstanding Member” Award at the Iowa State Association of Assessor’s Annual Conference and School of Instruction held in Des Moines earlier this month. The award recipient is selected based on leadership qualities, professionalism and contributions to the organization and the assessor profession.
“It is truly an honor to receive the Outstanding Member Award, especially with so many members that I believe are outstanding and deserving of this award too,” Witt said in a statement.
Witt was key to creating the association’s strategic plan and other improvements such as the development of a mass appraisal report template. He has completed the International Association of Assessing Officers instructor training, has developed educational courses and provided instruction for assessors’ offices across Iowa. He led the Linn County Assessor’s Office to become the first in the state to receive the International Association of Assessing Officers’ Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration. Witt served as the association president in 2018 and has served on many of the association’s committees.
After graduating from Coe College, Witt worked as a fee appraiser and Realtor. In 2008, he was appointed as Tama County assessor, where he worked until 2018 when he was appointed to the Linn County role. Witt has earned the professional designations of Iowa Certified Assessor, Residential Evaluation Specialist and Assessment Administration Specialist as well as being a licensed appraiser.
New principals in Cedar Rapids schools
The Cedar Rapids Community School District announced two new building administrators, pending board approval this month.
Matt Russell has been named interim principal of Cedar River Academy, replacing former principal Andrea Scott, who recently retired.
Russell was an educator in the district working directly with families at Cedar River Academy. He also was a lead principal and assistant principal in the College Community School District.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been appointed as the interim principal of Cedar River Academy at Taylor,” Russell said in a news release from the district. “Meeting the remarkably dedicated staff has been a true pleasure. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to assist our teachers in their efforts to create a safe and collaborative learning environment where we can deliver high-quality instruction to all of our students.”
At McKinley STEAM Academy, Colleen Fangman has been appointed associate principal. She replaces Joslin Hanna, who was promoted to principal at Erskine Elementary School.
Fangman has worked for Cedar Rapids schools as a preschool director and most recently as a consultant for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency.
“One of the most exciting things I've experienced so far at McKinley is seeing former preschool students as middle school students and sharing memories with them,” Fangman said.
Date set for The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success’ gala
The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success has set a date for its 17th annual gala, which is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser.
The gala — themed A New Orleans Celebration — is April 18, 2024, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids.
The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success provides education to Black students that they can’t find in a public school classroom. It teaches students about Black history, literature, math and science and has a postsecondary seminar to help students prepare for college and being successful once here.
Tickets are required to attend the gala. For more information about the Academy, visit theacademysps.com.
Artists may submit designs for Herky on Parade 3
Herky on Parade, a popular public art project from 2004 and 2014, will return in spring 2024, but Think Iowa City is seeking local and regional artists to submit designs to bring the new 75 sculptures to life. Design submissions are open now until noon Dec. 1.
The 75 completed Herky sculptures, which will be sponsored by local companies and organizations, will appear next summer across Johnson County for the public to visit. Each sculpture will be painted with a unique design. The six-foot-tall Herky sculptures will eventually be auctioned to benefit a local charitable organization.
Herky on Parade is the largest public art project in Iowa. It is a collaboration between the University of Iowa Department of Athletics; the Cities of Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Solon, and Tiffin; Think Iowa City; and Iowa City Area Sports Commission.
To learn more or to download an application packet, visit www.herkyonparade3.com, email ashley@thinkiowacity.com, call 319-337-6592 or visit Think Iowa City’s office at 900 zFirst Avenue in Coralville.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Grace King contribute.
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