116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Marion development recognized as ‘innovative and replicable’
Also, Iowa City evening and weekend parking permits are now available
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A Marion apartment complex has received the Multifamily Development HousingIowa award from the Iowa Finance Authority in Des Moines. The award recognizes the 99-unit apartment complex as a “model of innovative and replicable community development,” according to a news release issued by the City of Marion.
The development, at 640 Marion Blvd., is near the intersection of First Avenue NE and Collins Road NE, providing access to retail, dining and personal services. The building offers residents a playground, dog park, fitness room and parking.
The project was undertaken by Talon Development of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Eagle Construction. It started in 2021 and was intended to address housing needs in Marion and Cedar Rapids, offering “modern, affordable options for the city,” according to the release.
Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) worked with the developer to receive $1 million in workforce housing tax credits. At the time the project was approved by the Marion City Council, officials said the credit would help offset the cost of redeveloping the site, which was the former Hames Homes site.
“This project shows what’s possible when local organizations and businesses come together to create housing that truly benefits both the people who live there and the community,” said Josh Kruger of Talon Development. “Boulevard Apartments is a great example of our dedication to addressing important housing needs here in Iowa and beyond.”
The project sits at the west entrance to Marion.
“In partnership with Team Marion, MEDCO has been striving to improve the entrances into our community,” said Mark Seckman, MEDCO president. “The new Boulevard Apartments coupled with the expansion of Ohnward Bank and redevelopment of the new Iowa Kids Pediatric Dentistry property have completely transformed a primary gateway into Marion.”
The award was presented Sept. 4 at the 2024 HousingIowa Conference.
“As shown by our growth trajectory, Marion is a place where people want to be,” said Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “Projects like the Boulevard Apartments help diversify our housing options and provide modern, affordable amenities to our growing population.”
Iowa City evening/weekend parking permits for sale
The city of Iowa City is now selling evening and weekend parking permits for city parking ramps. The permits cost $67.50 per month. People who purchase a permit will be assigned one ramp to park in.
According to a new release from the city, the permits are 75 percent of the cost of an all-day permit and may be paid quarterly. There is no waiting list for the permits.
Those with a permit can park anytime on the weekends, and between 4 and 9 a.m. on weekdays.
Anyone who parks outside of those hours must pay the normal ramp fee, or they will be assessed a parking permit violation of $30.
The evening and weekend permits are the result of a request by the Iowa City Downtown District.
In July, the Iowa City Council approved a parking rate increase in the central business district — from $1.50 per hour to $3. It was the first increase in more than a decade, and intended to help cover the cost of maintaining parking facilities and funding the city’s free transit program.
Last month, facing complaints that the increase was too steep for downtown residents, businesses and visitors, the council rolled back the increase and priced hourly parking at $2.25.
The new evening and weekend permits are expected to bring in a little over $15,000 in revenue for the city.
Outside of the central business district, all metered parking is $1.50 per hour.
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy awarded grant
The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy was awarded a $5,000 grant from the International Paper Foundation to support an inclusive arts space for all abilities.
The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy is a nonprofit located in Cedar Rapids that provides fine arts enrichment to kids.
The funding will enable them to ensure more children, especially those from underserved communities, have access to creative education.
Over the summer, the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy purchased Arthur Elementary School from the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which the academy is renovating into its new space.
Renovations include adding an elevator and making the building overall accessible to people with disabilities.
“We are incredibly thankful to International Paper for their generous donation to the Arthur Elementary School repurposing project,” said Heather Wager, executive director of the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy. “Their support is crucial … in ensuring that all members of our community, including individuals with disabilities, have full access to our arts programs and facilities.”
The grant will support the transformation of Arthur Elementary into a fully accessible arts center, complete with ADA-compliant spaces and resources for all abilities. The funding also will help sustain vital community services offered through the academy such as mental health resources, a food pantry and financial aid for students.
International Paper is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products and one of the world’s largest recyclers. They are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and employ about 39,000 people globally, including at Cedar River Mill in Cedar Rapids.
“At International Paper, we mobilize our people, products and resources to address critical needs in the communities where our employees live and work,” said Megan Shook, Cedar River Mill communications specialist.
Public meeting provides information about Cedar Rapids road construction
A public information meeting on Tuesday will provide updates about the Eighth Avenue SE and Mount Vernon Road SE road construction.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, from 6-7 p.m. at McKinley STEAM Academy, 620 10th St. SE, in the school’s cafeteria.
The city’s traffic engineering team will provide a construction update and answer questions. They also will provide information about navigating multilane roundabouts. There will be a 20-minute presentation beginning at 6:15 p.m. City representatives and project designers will be there to help answer questions.
Iowa City community survey underway
The City of Iowa City's community survey is underway.
Randomly selected households have received mailed survey invitations. Residents who receive an invite are asked to follow the instructions and share their input on various issues important to the community. Resident feedback will be used to make plans for the future.
Residents who are not selected for this initial survey effort will be able to participate in a community-wide survey in the coming weeks. To become a member of Iowa City’s digital sounding board and get notified when this community-wide survey is available, follow this link and register for a profile with our survey partner Polco: polco.us/n/res/signup.
Coralville mayor’s fall clean up week is this week
As part of Mayor’s clean up week (Oct. 7-11), any resident with city trash and recycling services can put a large trash item out for curbside pickup on their regular collection day.
Acceptable items include things such as a roll of carpet or a broken piece of furniture. All items must be able to fit in a garbage truck and be “reasonably lifted” by two people.
Those who want to participate must place their item on the curb within 24 hours or before 7 a.m. on their collection day.
Items that will not be accepted include fridges, tires, construction materials, hot tubs and landscaping timbers.
Appliances, tires and other electronics can be picked up by appointment only. To set up an appointment call 319-248-1740.
Deadline for Cedar Rapids music census extended
The Cedar Rapids Music Census will remain open until Oct. 15, issuing a “last call” to all “music people“ across the region to add their voice
The census has gathered 70 percent of the responses needed to reach a statistically meaningful sample size since it launched on Sept. 6. With the two-week extension to Oct. 15, the study invites perspectives and voices from all professionals, semiprofessionals, and students who work full-time or part-time in the Cedar Rapids music industry in any capacity, with or without compensation.
The music census is available at CedarRapidsMusic.com.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Megan Woolard and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.
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