Iowa City Streetscape Project supporters focus on safety, sustainability

Better lighting, increased sustainability, and more welcoming gateways to the Ped Mall were just a handful of the ideas locals emphasized at the first public meeting for Iowa City's Downtown Streetscape Project.

More than 40 people gathered at the Iowa City Public Library Wednesday evening for the first of three meetings.

The attendees represented a range of residents, business owners, and University of Iowa faculty and students as they milled around various posters to pitch their own ideas for enhancing downtown.

“The foundation on which we're starting is pretty strong so we don't feel like we need to make wholesale changes to the downtown,” said Assistant to the City Manager Geoff Fruin. “At the same time, there are components of the streetscape that could be improved.”

The Streetscape Project is in Phase 2 which consists of information gathering through the first public input meeting, digital outreach on the new website Inspire Downtown IC, and observation. The two consulting firms hired for the project - Genus Landscape Architects of Des Moines and studioINSITE of Denver, Colo. - observed the Arts Fest and will also observe the Friday Night Concert Series and a home football game in August.

The project's objective is to identify what's working and what's not in the area encompassing central downtown, Ped Mall, and Northside Marketplace. The project aims to enhance existing strengths while improving or replacing outdated aspects.

Officials emphasized public input is the most critical aspect.

“If we're not successful in getting public feedback at this stage, when we start to develop plans, they might not reflect the community,” Fruin said. “We're putting a lot of emphasis on this phase.”

On Wednesday, attendees could chime in on issues ranging from safety, lighting, and transportation to special events, landscaping, and wayfinding, among others.

Downtown resident and Yotopia owner Veronica Tessler said she was especially interested in sustainability.

“There's this notion that Iowa City is this very sustainable place, but practically speaking, there's still a lot of work to be done,” she said.

Locals pitched sustainable ideas like rooftop gardens, solar parking meters, and increased bicycle parking.

Tessler - like many others - also said improved lighting could increase the number of pedestrians downtown.

One poster encouraged attendees to place a red sticker on their least favorite downtown spot and a green sticker on their favorite. The intersection of Dubuque and Washington Streets was clustered with red stickers.

Business owner Carol Ibrik and others expressed the desire to decrease loitering at that intersection.

“I'd like to see it a little lighter and brighter and more inviting,” said Ibrik, who owns Aspen Leaf Yogurt Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory with her husband.

University of Iowa Student Government President Katherine Valde attended the meeting with a other students and said they will promote the website and upcoming public meetings to students in the fall.

Valde said she thinks sustainability and safety will be the two most attractive issues to students. She also said being involved in the Streetscape Project is important not only to students who are Iowa City natives like herself, but also to those only there for school.

“[College] is a time you can really fall in love with Iowa City and maybe decide you want to come back ... and make it your permanent home,” she said.

The second public input meeting will take place in mid-September when the consultation firms will present conceptual plans. Final plans and cost estimates won't be ready until early 2014, Fruin said.

The last time Iowa City underwent a “significant downtown improvement project” was in 1998. The price tag then was $3.5 million and resulted in improvements such as the current Ped Mall water feature, domed kiosks, and limestone planters.

Downtown District Executive Director Nancy Bird said she was very pleased with the turnout Wednesday, and anticipates the biggest challenge will be narrowing down good ideas.

“When you're in a candy store you want it all, but eventually you have to walk away with your favorites,” she said. “There's going to be trade-offs.”