Government Notes: Cedar Rapids projects seek workforce housing tax credits

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week signed off on six applications from developers seeking workforce housing tax credits from the IEDA, adding to the five applications approved last month.

The council approved these requests as part of its consent agenda, where items considered routine are approved in a single vote with no discussion.

Most projects already had received the council’s OK for city financial incentives, so the council’s action last week approved resolutions of support for their state tax credit applications. Only two of the projects had not already received city financial incentives, which are required as a local match to receive the state tax credits.

Cedar Rapids last year was designated as a “Thriving Community” by the IEDA, giving it more points when developers here seek tax credits and improving odds Cedar Rapids projects will receive funding.

Big Ben LLC, an entity of developer Joe Ahmann, is pursuing the construction of 38 housing units within the mixed-use Big Ben development at the northwest intersection of Wright Brothers Boulevard and Kirkwood Boulevard SW. The incentives council approved in 2021 will serve as the local match for the estimated $8 million project.

The housing is part of a phased 35-acre plan that encompasses a mix of uses: owner-occupied and rental residential units, retail and office space.

The Hub LLC, another entity of Ahmann, is seeking credits to transform the former Terex property at 946 16th St. NE into a $12.1 million project adding 72 market-rate rental units. The council approved incentives in 2021 toward the project, which involved phased construction of three buildings adding approximately 200 housing units and some commercial space.

Matthew 25 is asking for state incentives to support its $2.5 million project to build new housing units in the Northwest Neighborhood piloting a new way for lower-income residents to access homeownership.

On city-owned property at 1021, 1027 and 1033 Eighth St. NW, Matthew 25 is looking to redevelop the flood-devastated land into new owner-occupied housing and use a shared equity model for these homes. Homeowners may purchase these homes with a low down payment. Matthew 25 will sell the houses to buyers who are not otherwise eligible for conventional loans — a 10 percent down payment versus the standard 20 percent.

Each parcel consists of three units — one single-family detached house and two accessory dwelling units, three garage stalls and six total off-street parking spaces.

Sinclair on Sixteenth LLC, an entity led by Coralville-based developer Watts Group, is looking to add 25 more market-rate rental units at the Sinclair on Sixteenth development at 615 16th Ave. SE. The $9.7 million project would build a four-story multifamily residential building containing 54 market-rate units total, as well as covered and on-site parking. The developer last year was awarded workforce housing tax credits toward 29 multifamily units.

The only new projects that had not received city financial incentives prior to last week’s council meeting were from Prairie Rose Rental Co., an entity of Sandy Locke.

Her housing project on vacant lots at 1120 and 1128 15th St. SE would include a newly built side-by-side duplex and detached ADU above the garage on each property in Oak Hill Jackson. The $1.4 million project would add three units on each parcel, for six total.

With the local match incentives council awarded — a 10-year, 100 percent rebate of the increased taxes the project generates — staff estimate the development will generate $162,000 in taxes over 10 years, of which $132,000 would be rebated back to the company.

Locke’s other $1.38 million project at 1215 20th Ave. SW will demolish the existing home, scrape the site and split the parcel into two. Both parcels will include a new construction of a single-family home, attached ADU and detached ADU above the garage. That’s six units total — three on each parcel.

Receiving the local match incentives, staff estimate the project would generate $150,000 in taxes over 10 years, of which $119,000 would be rebated back to the company.

League of Women Voters hosts Johnson County candidate forum

The public is invited to a forum featuring candidates for Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The event is being hosted by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County. It will be held Tuesday, May 21 at the Iowa City Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City.

There are five Democrats vying for three spots on the November general election ballot. They are Bob Conrad, Lisa Green-Douglass, Royceann Porter, Mandi Remington and Rod Sullivan. The primary election will be Tuesday, Jun 4.

Audience members may submit questions for the candidates at the forum. The forum will be moderated by League member Shannon Patrick, and League member Polly Horton will serve as timekeeper.

The forum will last from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It can be livestreamed on the League of Women Voters of Johnson County Facebook page at facebook.com/LWVJCIA. The recording will be available at lwvjc.org.

Iowa City public works director is a ‘Top Ten’ leader

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Iowa City Public Works Director Ron Knoche was recently named a 2024 Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year by the American Public Works Association.

Knoche has served with the city for 25 years, first joining as a civil engineer in 1999. He was promoted to senior engineer in 2001 and to city engineer in 2003. In 2015, he became public works director. In this role, he oversees the city's Engineering, Equipment, Resource Management, Streets, Wastewater and Water Divisions.

In its 65th year, this award is one of the association’s highest honors and is based on a lifetime of professional excellence. Recipients are chosen by past Top Ten recipients and “embody professionalism, expertise and personal dedication to improving the quality of life in their communities through the advancement of public works services and technology,” according to the association.

The award focuses on outstanding career service achievements of public works professionals and officials from both public and private sectors in North America. Each recipient is recognized for their accomplishments in federal, state, provincial, county or municipal engineering or administration, including career advancement, contribution to technology or job knowledge, commitment to the profession, professional excellence and service to the community.

Cedar Rapids hosting rabies, microchip clinic

Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control will host a microchip and rabies vaccination clinic Sunday, May 26, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at animal care and control, 7241 Washington View Pkwy SW in Cedar Rapids.

No appointments are necessary. Cats and dogs are welcome; all animals must be either leashed or in a pet carrier.

The cost for a rabies vaccination at the clinic is $10, and the cost for a microchip is $20. Payments can be made in cash, check, credit or debit.

Any questions can be directed to Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control staff at 319-286-5993. Clinics tend to be busy and popular.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office hours change

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner announced last week that effective Monday, May 20, the sheriff’s office’s hours will change. Administrative business hours for the office will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays).

Fingerprinting services for the public will be available Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is located at 310 Second Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids.

Linn County, Ely partner to plant trees

Linn County and the City of Ely worked together last week to restore Ely’s tree canopy after it lost more than 70 trees during Ely’s ash tree removal project.

The county donated $5,000 to purchase 49 trees to plant in Ely rights of way. The funding came from the county’s salvage harvest of logs on county property after the 2020 derecho.

Linn-Mar seniors commit to being future educators

Fifteen Linn-Mar seniors informally committed to pursuing a career in education this month by signing Future Educator Letters of Intent. By signing this document, students will receive an interview with the Linn-Mar Community School District when they are ready to join the workforce.

This new tradition, in its third year, is one way to help support students interested in pursuing education as a career and encourage familiar faces to return to Linn-Mar after completing their degree.

It was begun by high school teacher Laura Vaske, who teaches education-related classes at Linn-Mar High School.

“We will keep in touch with all of these students, and we guarantee them an interview if they apply with the district after they graduate,” said Karla Christian, Linn-Mar schools executive director of human resources.

Marion Fireworks & Fireflies Returns July 3

Marion will host its fifth annual Fireworks & Fireflies celebration on July 3. This free event will be held at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park beginning at 6 p.m. Live music by FunkDaddies starts at 7 p.m. Food trucks, face painting and a grand fireworks finale will cap off the event.

More details, including a FAQ list and printable parking map, will be posted online as the event nears at www.cityofmarion.org/fireworks.

Franklin’s 100th Anniversary Celebration

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is welcoming visitors to tour Franklin Middle School, 300 20th St NE, Cedar Rapids, Thursday, May 23, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary.

This historic milestone commemorates the school’s rich legacy since its construction in 1923 and official dedication on March 12, 1924, according to a newsletter from the school district.

The afternoon will feature student-led tours of the building and 100 years of memorabilia. There also will be bouncy houses, a climbing wall, music and food.

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