116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Cedar Rapids tries again for $25M grant to replace Eighth Avenue Bridge
Also, Cedar Rapids seeks more feedback on Greenway Parks Plan
Cedar Rapids is applying again for a $25 million federal RAISE grant — the maximum amount — to support its approximately $60 million project to rebuild the Eighth Avenue Bridge as part of its permanent flood control system.
The U.S. Department of Transportation funding would go toward the city’s project to replace the existing bridge over the Cedar River with The Arc of Justice Bridge. The project is part of the more than $750 million flood protection system.
The bridge project is partially funded through general obligation bonds and Iowa Flood Mitigation Program funds. In April 2021, the Iowa Department of Transportation awarded $1 million toward the bridge replacement through its City Bridge Program.
The new bridge, a key segment of the city’s permanent flood control system, will limit the need to evacuate areas behind the completed flood control system, improve trail access and expand connectivity across the river.
The new bridge would be a single-pier cable stayed bridge designed for a 100-year life span. It would have a single pier in the river, instead of the current seven piers, to improve the flow of the river and reduce upstream water levels.
Cedar Rapids officials have tried for years to secure federal funds to support the project. That includes four previous applications through the annual BUILD and RAISE grant application cycles from 2020 through 2023.
All four previous submissions scored in the top category, “Highly Recommend,” but the program is extremely competitive. Only 10 percent to 15 percent of applications are awarded funds, according to council documents.
The city also has pursued PROTECT and Bridge Investment Program as alternate funding sources.
Mount Vernon begins Uptown Streetscape project
Business owners in Uptown Mount Vernon are invited to a kickoff meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at City Hall, 213 First St. West, as city officials begin planning the Uptown Streetscape project.
The city is creating a master plan to guide the design for First Street from Third Avenue SW to B Avenue SE, as well as the adjoining North Alley area.
Community members can give their input on the project through an online survey at cityofmtvernon-ia.gov/uptown-streetscapes.
More opportunities will be offered to public input in the future, too. The city anticipates hosting an open house in May for the community to review the plans before they are finalized in June.
The historic Uptown area serves as Mount Vernon’s downtown and central location for some of the city’s most popular community events, including Chalk the Walk.
To ensure the history and natural character of Uptown is preserved, the Streetscape Master Plan will identify ways to improve the area without losing its identity.
The master plan will include parking, landscaping, furnishings, public art and space for events.
In an interview with The Gazette in November 2023, city manager Chris Nosbisch said the streetscape project could cost between $2 million and $6 million.
Cedar Rapids seeks more feedback on greenway parks
The city of Cedar Rapids is asking for more feedback on its greenway parks plan that will guide amenities along the west side of the Cedar River.
Staff will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, for an open house showing plan concepts. Feedback will guide how the city prioritizes amenities and features for the area.
The greenway encompasses the riverfront from Czech Village through Kingston Village to the Time Check neighborhood.
Access to mental health services in Solon
The Solon Community School District is partnering with Grant Wood Area Education Agency so students, staff and families can use Care Solace to find mental health help as needed.
Care Solace helps individuals find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. Their Care Companion team is available 24/7, 365 days a year to quickly connect people to verified mental health providers in the Johnson County community.
Students, staff, and families may access the free Care Solace services in two ways:
- Call toll-free (888) 515-0595, where help is available in more than 200 languages. A “care companion” will help calls through the research and in making appointments. They also will follow up to see if the referral is a good fit.
- For an anonymous search, people can answer a few questions and get matched with care providers by going to caresolace.com/solon.
Care Solace will connect people with mental health providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare and sliding scale options for those without insurance. All information entered on the Care Solace tool is confidential and securely stored.
Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider. In the event of a life threatening emergency, individuals should call 911 or the National Suicide Hotline by dialing 988 or 1-(800) 273-8255.
Iowa City opens survey on City Park pool
Iowa City residents are invited to participate in the next phase of the City Park Pool redesign.
A public survey is available at bit.ly/CityParkPool until 5 p.m. March 8. The survey is available in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin and Arabic. Paper copies of the survey are available at City Hall, the Mercer Park Aquatic Center and the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center.
The city also is sending postcard invitations to 6,000 households for a statistically valid, random sample survey. Those who receive a postcard should use the provided QR code to access the survey. Results will be reported for both the random survey and the open survey.
Four concept designs are available for consideration. All of them include additional shade and have minimal impact on existing trees at City Park Pool. No additional parking will be added.
Three of the designs feature zero-depth entries, enhanced play areas and lap lanes. The fourth design is a nearly exact replacement of the current pool. Estimated costs range from $17.25 million to $19.45 million.
A public drop-in open house will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center, 2701 Bradford Dr., Iowa City. Project architects will be available to discuss the four designs, answer questions, and record public input.
After results are gathered, the Iowa City Council will choose a final design.
Marion housing assistance grants available
The Marion Civil Rights Commission is now accepting applications for the Marion Low and Moderate Income Housing Assistance Grant.
The Marion City Council has approved using up to $62,000 in grants to nonprofits, charitable organizations or other entities that look to assist low- and moderate-income individuals experiencing housing instability. The application will remain open through March 10. The application form and more information are available at www.cityofmarion.org/LMIgrant.
Girl Scout Cookies are here
Girl Scout cookie booths will pop up in communities in Eastern Iowa this week, and troops will begin delivering orders and selling cookies directly at booths outside stores and community events.
To find a Girl Scout cookie booth, visit GirlScoutsToday.org/Cookies. Enter a ZIP code, and a list of nearby booths hosted by local Girl Scouts will appear with the date, time and location.
The scouts will be selling nine cookie flavors for $6 a package. Profits from the annual sale stay local and go toward scout service projects, travel and summer camp.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Grace King contribute.
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