116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Cedar Rapids residents can track road, construction projects using new interactive map
Also, Linn-Mar school board will vote on next fiscal year budget Monday
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The city of Cedar Rapids has launched a new online tool to help residents keep track of area construction projects.
City staff last week launched the interactive tool at CityofCR.com/Construction. The website includes an up-to-date map of all road closures and ongoing city construction projects, as well as a searchable database of current and future projects.
The website includes a short description of each project, as well as any relevant city documents and contact information for city staff. The tool also is available on the city’s Mobile CR app via the “Maps” icon found on the application’s main menu.
Public Works Director Brenna Fall promoted the tool at last week's Cedar Rapids City Council meeting as a way for area residents to learn about the purpose and timeline of current and future projects in and around their neighborhood.
Fall said the site will be updated as information becomes available, although “it will depend on the project. During construction, updates will happen much more frequently than a project that is just planned for a future year.”
The map currently is focused on public works projects, Fall noted, although it could be expanded in the future to track additional city projects such as utility projects or park improvements.
Linn-Mar school board to vote on next fiscal year budget Monday
A public hearing on the proposed Linn-Mar school budget is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the Learning Resource Center, 3556 Winslow Rd., Marion. The school board is expected to vote on the proposed budget after the public hearing.
The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30, 2026.
The proposed budget calls for a levy rate of $17.99 per $1,000 in taxable valuation, comparable to the current rate.
One of the contributing factors to the tax levy rate last year was an additional 35 cents in the management levy, which funds property, liability and cybersecurity insurance for the district.
According to board documents, it is recommended to increase the management levy an additional 5 cents this upcoming fiscal year to fund:
- An increase in premiums for property and casualty insurance and workers' compensation;
- A second year of early retirement packages.
Iowa City residents invited to participate in visioning sessions
Iowa City residents are invited to attend one of several upcoming Community Listening Sessions to share their vision for the city’s future as part of the Comprehensive Plan process.
The sessions will include interactive visioning exercises to identify Iowa City’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The sessions also provide an opportunity to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan and how it will guide long-term growth and development.
Five sessions will be offered over the next month:
- Monday, April 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Iowa Memorial Union, 125 N. Madison St.
- Monday, May 5, 5:30-7 p.m. at Dream City, 611 Southgate Ave.
- Monday, May 12, 5:30-7 p.m. at Iowa City Public Library, 123 Linn St.
- Tuesday, May 20, 5:30-7 p.m. at Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Pheasant Ridge, 2651 Roberts Rd.
- Wednesday, May 28, 5:30-7 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4330 St. Patrick Dr.
Additional engagement activities, including public workshops and special events, will be announced throughout the planning process.
For the latest information on the Comprehensive Plan, including future events and online engagement opportunities, visit bit.ly/iowacity2050.
Marion Farmers Market returns this weekend
The Marion Farmers Market will reopen for the season Saturday at Willowood Park, 1855 35th St. in Marion.
The market will have more than 30 vendors, including several who are enrolled in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the Linn County Master Gardeners.
Shoppers will find fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, crafts and more at the community market, which will run every Saturday from 8-11 a.m. through Sept. 27.
The market also will host Marion City Council members’ weekly office hours, and one or more council members will be available each Saturday for questions and conversation with area residents.
The first Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market will be Saturday, June 7, from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
Rezoning for Cedar Rapids apartment project gets preliminary approval
The Cedar Rapids City Council gave preliminary approval last week to the rezoning necessary for a proposed 92-unit apartment complex on the city’s southwest side.
Talon Development, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., intends to erect the two-building complex in the 3300 block of Stone Creek Circle, near the intersection of Williams Boulevard SW and Highway 30.
City Council members approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone the area, although the ordinance requires two additional rounds of approval before it can officially take effect.
Zoning Administrator Seth Gunnerson said the rezoning is necessary due to the size of the project, as well as certain aspects of its design. The project is further be contingent on the reception of the state-issued workforce housing tax credits Talon Development intends to pursue this summer
The development — estimated at $15 million — would include two buildings with a mix of one- and two-bedroom, market-rate rental units.
Some neighboring residents have expressed concern related to construction noise, traffic and property values related to the project, although Gunnerson said city staff believe many of those concerns could be resolved during site planning.
Developers intend to break ground this year pending necessary approvals, and construction will take between 14 and 18 months.
Linn County supervisor chair to host State of the County address
Linn County Supervisor Chair Brandy Z. Meisheid will deliver this year’s State of the County address at 3 p.m. May 22 in the formal board room at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW.
The address will cover topics related to Linn County leadership, enhancement to public services and the county’s fiscal decision-making process.
The event is free and open to the public, and no reservation is required. Those interested can attend the event in person or watch a livestream on the Linn County website.
A recording of the address also will be made available once it concludes.
New Boys & Girls Clubs facility opening with ribbon cutting in June
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor is celebrating the opening of its new facility, called the Busse Unit, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony June 4, from 4-6 p.m.
The center, at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 16th Street SE in Cedar Rapids, adjacent to First Congregational United Church of Christ, will be big enough to provide a safe haven for an additional 300 youths.
The 18,500-square-foot Busse Unit will allow the clubs to double the number of kids served. It contains a gymnasium, cafeteria, game room, education center and science, technology, engineering and math lab. On the second floor, there is a teen center, a teaching kitchen, an art room and a music room with a DJ booth.
The center is being named in recognition of the Busse family, who donated $2 million from its family foundation.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor is a youth development organization for 5- to 18-year-olds with programs to help kids and teens achieve academic success, model good character and citizenship and live healthy lifestyles.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace Nieland, Grace King and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.
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