GOVERNMENT NOTES:

Cedar Rapids City Council OKs incentives for Garfield housing

The city of Cedar Rapids has approved financial incentives for the historic restoration of the former Garfield Elementary School.

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week authorized the incentives for Evolution, an entity of area developer Steve Emerson. Emerson intends to turn the former school building into a multifamily housing development.

Approved incentives include a 10-year, declining scale tax exemption for the increased value generated by the project through the city’s historic preservation and economic development program.

Based on the estimated investment and post-development value, the project is expected to generate $665,000 in total taxes over that period, of which $240,000 would be exempted.

Emerson acquired the property at 1201 Maplewood Dr. NE in 2024 from the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which was looking to off-load the property as part of its ongoing facilities plan.

Construction is expected to begin on the $7 million project this spring and conclude by the end of the year. The project will result in the creation of 30 rental apartments with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units.

Linn County awards $500K to area libraries

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Linn County supervisors last week approved $500,000 in annual funding to the 11 public libraries in the county.

The funds ensure residents in unincorporated Linn County have the same access to library services as city residents without paying additional user fees.

The allocations were based on a formula that considered each library’s city funding, its circulation to rural residents and hours of operation.

Allocations for fiscal year 2026 are:

Ideas sought for C.R. school names, mascots

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is asking families, staff and community members for ideas in renaming three elementary schools scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.

New buildings will replace Hoover Elementary, 4141 Johnson Ave. NW, and Van Buren Elementary, 2525 29th St. SW.

Harrison Elementary, 1310 11th St. NW, is being renovated, with new construction added onto the building. When Harrison reopens, Madison Elementary, 1341 Woodside Dr. NW, will close.

Under district policy, the new schools are able to pick new names, mascots and colors. Three school-specific surveys have gone out to gather input.

The district is choosing between keeping the name Harrison Elementary or changing it to Belmont Park, a name previously voted on by students, staff and the community during initial planning.

Hoover underwent a rebranding a few years ago, resulting in a fresh logo and the name Hoover Community School. Because that work is so recent, the district is asking if the school community wants to keep the current name and logo or create a new name and mascot.

Ideas also are being gathered for the name and mascot of the new Van Buren Elementary.

The district has renamed its three other new elementary schools: West Willow, 6225 First Ave. SW; Maple Grove, 1300 38th St. NW; and Trailside, 320 27th St. NE.

The new school names must be approved by the Cedar Rapids school board before they are official.

HACAP names new food reservoir director

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The Hawkeye Area Community Action Program has announced a new director for its regional food reservoir as part of the agency’s leadership shuffle.

Aron Brecht will the director and work to strengthen food access across Eastern Iowa, according to a news release from the agency. The HACAP food bank provides food to dozens of food pantries across the region.

Brecht has worked at HACAP for more than six years and was most recently the community food systems manager. His experience includes working with warehouse operations, volunteer engagement and community partnerships.

“Aron’s leadership reflects both a deep knowledge and a genuine commitment to our mission,” HACAP Chief Operating Officer Kim Guardado said in the release. “His journey at HACAP embodies what community action is all about, leading with purpose.”

Brecht succeeds Guardado as food reservoir director, given her recent promotion to chief operating officer — a role previously filled by HACAP’s new CEO Matt Majeski.

Bertram, Linn partner on $1.5 million bridge

The city of Bertram will be working with Linn County staff to replace the bridge over Big Creek along Big Creek Road

A $1.5 million grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation’s city highway bridge program will pay for the cost of construction but not the staff time needed for planning and development.

The county stepped in to offer assistance to Bertram, population 270.

“We are contributing our design and inspection services,” Linn County Assistant Engineer Garret Reddish said. “Those services will use our current staffing levels and our current budget, so there’s no monetary changes in our operation.”

Reddish said work on the project is underway, with the goal of beginning construction in early 2027.

Iowa City begins prairie burns

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The Iowa City Fire Department has begun the process of controlled prairie burns at parks throughout Iowa City.

Dates for the burns are not set since weather can impact any burning schedule.

Most of the burns, though, will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the following parks:

Controlled burns also may take place at Hickory Hill Park and the city’s water treatment plant.

Utility work set on Iowa City’s Court Street

Utility work is taking place in the westbound lane of Court Street between Seventh Avenue and Second Avenue in Iowa City.

The street temporarily reopened to all vehicle traffic in mid-January. The street will fully close once again during the spring construction season to allow for completion of the Court Street reconstruction project.

The $9.6 million reconstruction includes complete replacement of the street and sidewalks, upgrades to utility lines, new traffic signals and a new utility trench that would move utility lines underground.

Sidewalks are being extended and will provide access for disabled individuals.

The project is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2027.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.