Government Notes: Friends of Cedar Lake donates funds to Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation

Friends of Cedar Lake — the urban lake located in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids — is disbanding and has donated its remaining $8,858.73 to the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation as the nonprofit’s signature effort to revitalize the lake is underway.

Friends of Cedar Lake was formed in 2014 as a (501)(c)3 with a diverse group of citizens who wanted to protect the lake and preserve it for generations. Funds paid for a master plan and events to promote these efforts. That plan is now advancing as part of ConnectCR, the largest private-public partnership in Cedar Rapids history.

“These funds will be earmarked for improvements around the lake that support our vision and the intent of our donors,” Felicia Wyrick, co-founder of Friends of Cedar Lake, said in a statement. “The master plan is being updated on an ongoing basis as flood protection work continues. Through our partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids, the long term health of the lake will become a reality.”

New fishing jetties will give anglers additional access points. Wetlands on the lake’s north shore will be restored and reforested after flood protection work in the area is complete. Informational signage along the trail will educate visitors about the park’s diverse plants and wildlife.

Other amenities for Cedar Lake include enhanced park entrances, a challenge course/playground and floating islands.

In addition to revitalizing the lake, the ConnectCR project will add the Alliant Energy LightLine pedestrian-bike bridge spanning the Cedar River connecting Czech Village and the New Bohemia District.

“We achieved the things that we set out to do and we did not want to be a nonprofit that goes on forever and ever,” said council member Dale Todd, a member of the nonprofit and longtime champion of Cedar Lake’s revitalization. “As we move into construction phases, it’s natural to channel a lot of our work into ConnectCR and the city of Cedar Rapids.”

Up to $350,000 available for Linn County housing initiatives

The board of directors of the Housing Fund for Linn County is making up to $350,000 available in grants to for-profit or nonprofit developers and businesses, and to governmental entities, for housing initiatives serving households whose income is below 80 percent of the area median income in Linn County. Priority will be given to projects benefiting those with income below 30 percent area median income.

Eligible activities include development or rehabilitation of rental and owner-occupied housing; homeownership and rental assistance; and financing for the preservation or development of transitional housing or homeless shelters.

Applications are available at www.ecicog.org/hfflc or by request from Executive Director Tracey Achenbach at housingfundlc@ecicog.org or (319) 289-0072. Applications are due at the East Central Iowa Council of Governments office no later than 3 p.m. March 27.

Public invited to comment on Johnson County’s comprehensive plan

A public hearing will be held Monday on the next step in the process in updating the Johnson County 2018 Comprehensive Plan: Sustaining Success Through 2028. The hearing will be hosted by the Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission at 5:30 p.m.

County staff will present an overview of the updates proposed. The commission will discuss the proposed update, take public comment and potentially make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting in person or virtually. The meeting will be held in the second-floor boardroom of the Johnson County Health and Human Services (HHS) Building, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually can access the link at johnsoncountyiowa.gov 24 hours before the meeting’s start time.

The proposed new update, as well as the two-volume current plan, which was amended through May 2022, can be accessed online at johnsoncountyiowa.gov/comp-plan-update-2023. Printed copies of these documents are also available at the Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department at its temporary location on the third floor of the HHS Building.

The comprehensive plan was adopted in 2018 with the intention that it would be reviewed five years later.

There will be another opportunity for public input at a future meeting of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The meeting time, date and location will be posted on the county website.

Marion, Monarch Research open spring right of way tree giveaway

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The City of Marion and Monarch Research Project have partnered again to provide residents and landowners with up to three free 3- or 5-gallon trees to plant in the right of way adjacent to their property.

Program registration will remain open through March 27. Find the link to register and more information at monarchresearch.org/habitat/planting-forward/marion/.

Marion holding Uptown Parking Study open house

As Marion’s Uptown Parking Study nears completion, the city is holding a public open house from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday in the atrium at Marion City Hall, 1225 Sixth Ave. The open house will be in a come-and-go format. All are invited to attend.

Over the past seven months, consultant HKGi has collected and analyzed data and developed modeling projections to guide the city’s action on Uptown parking needs in the coming years. Projections take into account additional commercial and residential growth in the Uptown area over the next five years.

The city already held a listening session recently with the Uptown Board of Advisors.

Noelridge Greenhouse Easter Showcase taking place March 30-31

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The annual Noelridge Greenhouse Easter Showcase will be held this year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 30-31 at the greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE. It is free to the public. The first 500 children ages 12 and under will receive a free plant.

Visitors will see fairy gardens for sale and display by Friends of Noelridge, a display by Master Gardeners, orchid information and sales by Eastern Iowa Orchid Society, Hosta information from the Hashbarger Hosta Society, nature products for sale by Natural Whimsy and new vendors with products including jewelry and more. House plants, native and perennial plants, birdhouses and pressed flower greeting cards also may be purchased. Call the greenhouse at 319-286-5762 for more information.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporter Marissa Payne contributes.