Renderings detail big downtown changes in Iowa City

IOWA CITY - The latest designs for Iowa City's massive downtown renovation project detail widened sidewalks, enhanced overhead lighting, public artwork and a clean new look.

Geoff Fruin, assistant to the city manger, said now close to one year after the city adopted the Downtown and Pedestrian Mall Streetscape Plan, city officials felt it was time to update the public on more advanced designs for two blocks of Washington Street, one block of Dubuque Street and the entire pedestrian mall - three high priority areas in the streetscape project.

'They are not a fully completed set of designs with that area ready to be bid out as a project, but they are considerably further along than they were last year,” Fruin said. 'We just feel right now we're at a good checkpoint in the process so we can check in with the community and let them know how things are progressing with the plan, get their feedback and incorporate that in as we move ahead with the more detailed designs.”

The public is invited to an open house 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Sheraton Hotel's Amos Dean Ballroom to see the new designs and hear the latest about the project from Iowa City officials and consultants.

Fruin said the council will explore funding options for the projects in capital improvement budget discussions this winter with money likely coming from utility, general obligation or road use tax funds. Fundraising options also will be explored for the ped mall stage and public art project, he said.

Finalized budgets have yet to be determined, but Fruin estimated utility work and aesthetic upgrades to the ped mall and portions of Washington and Dubuque streets to total roughly $11 million.

As plans continue to develop and finalize, Fruin said public input will remain key in shaping the future of downtown Iowa City.

Melanie Baker, general manager with Sheraton Hotel, said she has appreciated how the public input process for the streetscape plan has really impacted the latest designs.

'At this point I think it's been an amazing partnership, everyone has worked together to just create a fantastic area to keep Iowa City vibrant for not only our overnight guests but our long-term residents as well,” she said.

Nancy Bird, executive director with the Iowa City Downtown District, said enhancements to downtown planters, improved vegetation and updated entrances on the ped mall will create an even more inviting atmosphere.

'There's a lot of little nuances to the design that really clean up the ped mall,” she said. 'As you come in there is a real dramatic entrance.”

Fruin said major changes will not begin until 2016 at the soonest, but noted that interested residents can get a sneak peek and provide feedback on some potential lighting elements by venturing down to the Black Hawk Mini Park, where temporary lighting options have been installed.

The city also will be hosting three November open houses to allow the public to meet finalist artists being considered for the streetscape pedestrian mall art piece, which will likely be located near the Black Hawk Mini Park.

While the construction process will be felt by many downtown businesses and visitors when work begins, Bird said area business owners need to keep in mind the final result, which should draw added traffic to downtown Iowa City.

'It helps to know that at the other end it's going to lift the whole downtown,” she said. 'People are going to want to come and see this.”