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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: 7 Linn, Johnson agencies win grants for homelessness programs
Also, Cedar Rapids Council finalizes rezoning of former Garfield Elementary site
Nov. 10, 2025 9:39 am
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Seven agencies in Linn and Johnson counties have received a combined $1.3 million to put toward homelessness solutions in east-central Iowa.
The Iowa Finance Authority last week announced a larger $5.7 million allocation in annual grant funding to assist 42 agencies statewide in the fight against homelessness.
The funding came from three programs: the Iowa Shelter Assistance Fund, which provides funding for homeless and/or domestic shelter operations; the Emergency Solutions Grant, which aims to help homeless families quickly regain permanent housing; and the Iowa Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.
Grant recipients in the Corridor include:
- Shelter House Community Shelter and Transition Services in Iowa City received $282,319 in emergency solutions grant funding and an additional $150,000 in shelter assistance funds for its operations in Johnson and Washington counties.
- Waypoint Services received $283,847 in emergency solutions grant funding for its regional operations in Linn, Jones and Benton counties.
- The University of Iowa received $277,764 in Iowa Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS regional programming.
- Cedar Rapids-based Willis Dady Homeless Services received $103,670 for its shelter operations in Linn, Benton and Jones counties.
- The Domestic Violence Intervention Program, a Johnson County-based regional domestic violence services provider, received $78,757 in emergency solutions grant funding and another $34,520 in shelter assistance funds.
- Hawkeye Area Community Action Program received $77,500 in emergency solutions grant funding to support its efforts around housing and homelessness across Eastern Iowa.
- Catherine McAuley Center, an immigrant-focused Cedar Rapids nonprofit, received $18,697 in emergency solutions grant funding.
Cedar Rapids Council finalizes rezoning of former Garfield Elementary site
Cedar Rapids City Council members have finalized the rezoning of land around the former Garfield Elementary building, clearing the way for a new multifamily housing development.
The council last week unanimously approved the rezoning on its third and final reading during its regular meeting.
Developer Steve Emerson last year bought the property — located at 1201 Maplewood Dr. NE — from the Cedar Rapids Community School District for $160,000 for redevelopment into 30 market-rate apartments.
The project will create 10 one-bedroom apartments and 20 two-bedroom apartments. Two units will be provided for free to school district employees or to those affiliated with the district such as student teachers, per the terms of the sale agreement.
Overall investment is estimated at $12 million to $14 million, and Emerson currently is seeking historic restoration tax credits to help support the project. Pending that request, project completion is expected by late 2026.
Iowa City launches food drive to support CommUnity crisis services
The City of Iowa City is launching a food drive to support CommUnity crisis services and food bank.
CommUnity’s top needs are financial donations, canned fruit in juice, peanut butter, canned meats, baby diapers, baby formula, rice, pasta, soups and stews, toilet paper and laundry detergent.
Residents can drop off any donations at the following locations:
- Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3910 Napoleon Lane
- City Hall Front Lobby, 410 E. Washington St.
- Fire Station 2, 301 Emerald St.
- Fire Station 4, 2008 N. Dubuque St.
- Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, 3900 Hebl Ave.
- Iowa City Municipal Airport, 1801 S. Riverside Dr.
- Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St.
- Iowa City Streets Division, 1200 S. Riverside Dr.
- Mercer Aquatic Center, 2701 Bradford Dr.
- Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St.
Iowa City’s Terrell Mill skate park renovation project out to bid next month
An estimated $1.75 million renovation project of Iowa City’s Terrell Mill skate park is set to go out for bid next month.
The project includes the complete renovation of the existing skate park area, as well as the addition of bicycle pump track and another skate park area.
The city will put the project out to bid Dec. 2 and plans to award a contract Dec. 9. Construction is scheduled to take place between March and November of 2026.
Iowa City began conducting public input sessions on the project back in early 2024. The city secured a $250,000 federal land and water conservation grant that will be put toward the project.
Mount Vernon mayor joins Iowa League of Cities executive board
An additional area elected official has joined the executive board for the Iowa League of Cities, a nonprofit that supports and advocates for municipal governments statewide.
Mount Vernon Mayor Tom Wieseler was elected to the board this fall during the league’s most recent annual business meeting.
Broadly speaking, the Iowa League of Cities serves as the unified voice of its more than 800 member cities to provide advocacy, training and guidance to strengthen Iowa's communities.
Its 19-member board acts as the governing body and is responsible for adopting policies to provide direction to the rest of the league’s membership.
The board is also charged with adopting the annual budget, establishing membership fees and providing direction to the organization’s executive director around future and ongoing initiatives.
Other area officials already on the executive board include Cedar Rapids City Council member Ashley Vanorny, who serves as one of the board’s past presidents, and Coralville Mayor-elect Laurie Goodrich.
Veterans Day observance will impact city services this week
The observance of Veterans Day will impact many services on Tuesday.
State courts are closed.
In Coralville, the library and most city offices will be closed. Garbage pickup will be delayed by one day, with Tuesday’s normal pickup happening Wednesday. The regularly scheduled City Council meeting will still occur.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.
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