Coralville may seek federal funds for $24.5 million transit facility

Coralville may go after $13 million in federal funds to help pay for a transit facility in the Iowa River Landing district.

The money would go toward the $24.5 million Coralville transit intermodal facility planned for the district, which is off First Avenue and eventually is to have a medical facility, retail stores, office space and a hotel. It was announced this week Von Maur would build a store there.

The City Council is scheduled to vote Sept. 27 to submit an application for federal TIGER funds.

The facility is expected to have about 500 spaces and include a staging area for buses, an enclosed lobby and serve as the city's transit headquarters, said Vicky Robrock, Coralville's director of parking and transportation.

The city also has talked about a day-care center and bike shop being in the structure, she said.

Of the $24.5 million total, the Coralville already has spent $5.1 million to acquire the land and has nearly $2.5 million in federal funds for the project, Robrock said. It would need to spend another approximately $3.9 million in local money to cover the total, if it gets the $13 million.