Government Notes: Cedar Rapids continues work on $20M Kingston Yard parking garage

CEDAR RAPIDS — The city of Cedar Rapids is pressing forward with the construction of a five-story, $20 million parking structure near Kingston Yard.

City crews last week began to pour the concrete that will comprise the solid slab of the parking structure’s first above-ground floor. Construction is expected to continue throughout the spring and summer months with an estimated completion of late 2025 or early 2026.

The five-level garage will include roughly 450 parking stalls to be operated by Park Cedar Rapids. Ten of those spots will include electric vehicle charging stations, and the first floor also will offer a bicycle storage area for passing pedestrians.

Cedar Rapids City Council members approved the project last summer despite some public concerns over the potential over-saturation of downtown parking. Officials countered that the garage is necessary to support the growing Kingston Village neighborhood.

Demand for parking in that area spiked following the 2023 opening of Big Grove Brewery and Pickle Palace, among other notable developments near the intersection of First Avenue and First Street SW.

The new parking structure is meant to ease that demand, as well as the additional demand expected from the construction of a proposed hotel nearby.

“It should be a nice amenity to allow residents and customers in that area of First and First to more easily access and enjoy that area as it grows,” said Karin Kee, a project engineer with the city of Cedar Rapids.

Kee said work on the project will become increasingly visible in the spring and summer, and exterior walls and signage will be added this fall. To receive periodic updates on the structure’s progress, citizens can subscribe to the project newsletter at bit.ly/CRparkingupdate.

Cedar Rapids to open Twin Pines, Mini Pines to golf this week

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This week’s forecast of daily high temperatures in the 60s means golf is returning to Cedar Rapids.

Twin Pines Golf Course will open for the season Tuesday, March 11 at 8 a.m., weather permitting. Tee times are required and can be booked at PlayCedarRapidsGolf.com. The driving range and award-winning Mini Pines Miniature Golf Course also will open at that time. Twin Pines is located at 3800 42nd St. NE.

Beginning Wednesday, March 12, the Twin Pines clubhouse will open at 7:30 a.m. daily with tee times beginning at 8 a.m. Golf availability will be dependent on weather. Golfers should check with the Pro Shop and starter for golf cart restrictions on a day-to-day basis.

Preparations are underway to open the other city-owned courses, Gardner and Ellis. No firm dates have been identified.

Season golf passes and punch cards for use at all three City of Cedar Rapids golf courses are available for purchase now at PlayCedarRapidsGolf.com. They also can be purchased on weekdays at Ellis Clubhouse, 1401 Zika Ave. NW, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; or Twin Pines Clubhouse from 7:30 a.m.-Dusk seven days a week.

Marion Council approves incentives for Hoth Flats

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In an attempt to spur additional residential development, Marion officials have approved tax incentives toward an Uptown housing project.

At a recent meeting, Marion City Council members approved a development agreement with Hoth Flats LLC for the construction of a 24-unit apartment complex at 801 10th St. The project will include 18 one-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units and a parking garage.

As part of the approved agreement, city officials agreed to provide a 10-year, 75 percent rebate on the increased property taxes generated by the project up to a maximum rebate of $450,000.

Project leaders previously estimated a development cost of roughly $5 million. That will be covered in part by Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program funds allocated by the state following the 2020 derecho.

In their support of the project’s initial application for recovery funds, city officials stated their belief that the development will help increase the accessibility of housing in Marion — a priority established after the city’s most recent housing study in 2022.

Linn County to host Food Symposium

The Linn County Food Systems Council will soon host a food symposium aimed at growing connections between agricultural producers and consumers.

The symposium will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office at 1770 Boyson Rd., in Hiawatha.

Speakers will come from across Iowa to cover topics ranging from sustainability in agriculture to local food sourcing and certification opportunities for area growers. After the presentations, lunch and networking opportunities will be available.

The half-day event is free, although registration is required. For more information or to sign up, visit the Linn County Food Systems Council website.

Johnson County Supervisors office has moved

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors Office has moved to the third floor of the Health & Human Services Building (HHS Building), 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City.

The move is part of a project to remodel Johnson County’s Administration and Health & Human Services buildings, which are located along S. Dubuque Street. The $7.3 million project is being funded through a combination of general funds and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds. County leaders have said they will not raise taxes to finance the remodel.

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

More information about the project and updates on the remodel can be found at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/remodel.

Cedar Rapids declares success for second annual winter yard waste schedule

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This winter was the second year the city of Cedar Rapids has operated collection-by-appointment-only policy for yard waste, and according to city data, the program has showed savings.

Beginning in mid-December and lasting through the end of February, Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling collected yard waste — placed in YARDY containers — by appointment only. During January and February, customer use of the yard waste program is reduced, with drivers making fewer than 100 stops per day compared to 3,000 to 4,000 stops per day in warmer months.

According to information shared by the city, there were 6,350 fewer miles driven, and the city saved 671 gallons of fuel by only picking up yard waste when residents submitted a request.

The division received 2,185 YARDY collection requests during the winter, with 100 percent of requests fulfilled.

“This was absolutely a success for the division and the City; demonstrating our commitment to efficiency and sustainability. Looking to the future, we aim to surpass these savings on miles and fuel, further enhancing our operational effectiveness,” said Patricia Hall, Solid Waste and Recycling division manager.

Regular weekly YARDY collection resumed March 3.

Iowa City Parks plan controlled prairie burns starting this week

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department will conduct controlled prairie burns at select city parks beginning today.

The parks scheduled to undergo controlled prairie burns are:

The exact dates of the burns have not been set because they depend on weather, wind and ground conditions. Burns typically occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to a news release from the city.

The city will operate off a burn plan prepared by the Iowa City Fire Department. Private property and structures will be protected.

Seasonal burning of native vegetation in Iowa promotes species diversity, habitat, and suppression of invasive species. Controlled burning is an established conservation management tool that can be a benefit to natural areas.

Cedar Rapids requests public input on affordable housing, social services

The City of Cedar Rapids is inviting residents to add their voices to a discussion about community needs for affordable housing and social services.

A community open house about the city’s five-year Consolidated Plan will be held today, Monday, March 10, between 4-6 p.m. at the Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids.

The purpose of the 5-year Consolidated Plan is to identify housing and community development needs, goals, and priorities for the community; and stipulate how limited resources will be spent in accordance with identified needs.

Residents who can’t make it to the open house, but would like to participate, can complete the city’s Housing and Community Needs survey at surveymonkey.com/r/JYKCTLS.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace Nieland and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.