Government Notes: North Liberty’s Centennial Park project wins $500,000 grant

A $500,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation will give a boost to North Liberty’s longtime vision to transform Centennial Park.

The grant was awarded to the Building North Liberty’s Next Stage capital campaign. Through North Liberty’s philanthropic partners for the campaign at the Community Foundation of Johnson County, the award will bring to life the city’s decade-long plan to make Centennial Park a key gathering place, according to a news release. Phase one of the four-phase project is slated to break ground in summer 2024.

“This shared enthusiasm and gift are important to building this community amenity and venue here in the heart of eastern Iowa,” Mayor Chris Hoffman said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the Foundation’s board of directors for recognizing the value of this project not just to North Liberty but to the entire region.”

The park development will fuel an estimated $11.6 million of economic activity each year, with these impacts trickling through businesses across the region. The project also spurs the potential for more growth on the land surrounding the park and will help employers recruit and retain a strong workforce, city officials said.

The project includes the Centennial Center and connected amphitheater at the heart of the park, connecting residents to one another and the arts. This facility will provide space for public events like craft fairs and author visits as well as private events such as business functions and weddings. Nonprofits will be able to use a new event space with discounted or waived event fees to host community meals, annual fundraisers and volunteer appreciation events.

At the outdoor amphitheater, a range of ticketed and free programs will be offered seasonally on the stage including performances by touring artists, comedians, symphony orchestras, local dance studios and school district choir and band ensembles. This new performance venue will provide access to arts and cultural offerings for rural communities along Interstate 380.

Restrooms, a plaza and utilities are also part of phase one. Phase two will add a premier splash pad, wheelchair-accessible playground units and additional restrooms, likely by 2026. Phases three and four will bring an open-air pavilion and honor garden to the park, which will be completed as soon as funding allows.

The plaza adjacent to the center, with picnic tables, landscaping and seating, will be named the Washington County Riverboat Foundation Plaza in recognition of the foundation’s grant.

This award joins other pledges from local organizations and individuals, which totals over $1.1 million. The total project cost is estimated at $16.4 million, with the first — and largest — phase totaling $8.8 million. The city of North Liberty has committed $6.5 million toward the improvements.

Visit northlibertyiowa.org/give to learn more about the project and make a donation, eligible for tax deduction, to the Centennial Park Next Stage Fund at the Community Foundation of Johnson County. Total gifts of $500 or more will be recognized permanently at the park. Naming opportunities for areas throughout the park also are available. Questions may be directed to nextstage@northlibertyiowa.org.

Johnson County building closed for renovations

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The Johnson County Administration Building is closed to accommodate a significant remodel. The building, located at 913 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, houses the offices of the county’s auditor, treasurer, assessor, recorder, board of supervisors, and other offices.

All services that have been available in the Administration Building are now located across the street in the Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City.

Renovation of the county’s Administration Building and the Health and Human Services Building has been discussed since 2017. The work was originally estimated to cost $15 million, but the cost increased to $27.9 million after a redesign that added scope. In January, the Board of Supervisors indicated support for moving forward with the project, but in phases.

Funding for the project will come from a combination of general funds and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds. County officials have said they are committed to not raising taxes to complete the work.

County officials and staff have said the project is necessary to improve safety, experience, customer service and accessibility for county employees and the public.

The guiding principles of the project have been safety, wellness, equality, human experience and functionality. This includes allowing for remote work, having a sustainable design, adding accessibility, increasing customer service and ensuring long-term adaptability, among other priorities.

The project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2024.

For more information and updates on the Johnson County Administration Building remodel, please visit johnsoncountyiowa.gov/remodel.

Cedar Rapids schools’ winter weather reminders

As winter weather descends on Eastern Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Community School District is reminding families what to expect.

Announcements of district weather-related decisions are communicated through multiple district communication platforms — School Messenger (phone calls, emails, and text messages), the district website, the district’s Facebook page, along with local news and media outlets. Families should make sure their contact information is up to date in Infinite Campus.

A decision to modify or cancel the school day for weather-related reasons will be made and communicated, if possible, before 5:30 a.m.

On late start days when weather conditions are expected to improve throughout the day, there will be no morning preschool, morning practices or before-school programs. Full-day preschool at Truman Early Learning Center will be delayed by two hours.

In the event of a late start on a regularly scheduled early dismissal day (Friday), the early dismissal will be canceled, and schools will follow the regular dismissal times, which is 2:50 p.m. for middle and high school students, and 3:50 p.m. for elementary and preschool students.

Classes will be canceled if weather conditions make it exceedingly hazardous or impossible for school buses to travel their routes and for employees and students to report to school safely.

When classes are canceled, all Cedar Rapids schools and preschools will be closed with no before- and after-school programs and no school activities for elementary and middle schools. High school activity, practice and athletic event cancellations will be communicated by each building's administrator or athletic director.

Students also might be released from school early if weather conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day. If possible, the decision will be made and communicated by 10 a.m. Early dismissal times may vary depending on the weather conditions.

If there is an early dismissal, there will be no afternoon preschool, after-school programs or evening activities unless otherwise noted. High school activity, practice, and athletic event cancellations will be communicated by each building's administrator or athletic director.

Lunch will be served to students before school is dismissed.

Elementary and preschool students will need the proper attire to stay warm inside and outside the school building, especially during recess. Students need snow pants, snow boots and mittens or gloves to play in areas with snow during recess.

Those not wearing snow pants and boots will be required to stay on the shoveled hard surface areas. Students are asked to change out of their boots into a dry pair of shoes when inside the building.

Also, students go outside for recess unless the air temperature or windchill is 10 degrees or below.

Apply for Iowa City racial equity, social justice grants

The City of Iowa City has opened applications for a grant program designed to advance racial equity and social justice as of Dec. 1. The deadline to apply is Jan. 5, 2024. The City Council has allocated $100,000 for fiscal 2024, the budget year that ends June 30, 2024.

Grants are available to Iowa City-based organizations, both non- and for-profit, with a goal to encourage, empower and engage racial equity and social justice initiatives through programs, activities or services that seek to eliminate inequities in Iowa City.

Proposals should address one or more priority areas including Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education, Employment, Health and Housing.

Those planning to submit an application for the grant are advised to review the recording from the informational session, which is available on the city’s YouTube page.

More details on the prerequisites and the application are available online at www.iowa-city.org/Forms/RESJ.

The city’s Human Rights Commission will review all applications and make funding recommendations to the council no later than March 31, 2024. Funding will be awarded by June 1, 2024.

Linn County launches track-a-plow website

Linn County residents can now see the locations of county snowplows during snow events with a new track-a-plow online program.

This program uses automated vehicle location technology to show the locations of snowplows on Linn County’s secondary roads. The website is updated about every five minutes during a snow event to show where the plows have been, only on roads that Linn County maintains.

The website, which can be accessed through the Linn County website, linncountyiowa.gov, shows Linn County-maintained roads in gray and noncounty-maintained roads in white. The color-coded legend shows if a snowplow has plowed the road and how long ago it was there. The county prioritizes snow routes by traffic count and road surface.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Grace King contribute.