Government Notes: Renovations begin at Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Rapids

Work started last week to transform the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Rapids’ Ellis Park, a space that honors the works of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association President Al Pierson said the first piece of the garden was installed June 18 — the entrance arch at the old entrance on Ellis Boulevard NW. Marion-based Barnes Manufacturing Services crews lifted up the large entry arch and bolted it into place.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors in April committed $15,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to the roughly $600,000 project. The city of Cedar Rapids also has given $15,000.

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Much of the garden was destroyed in the 2008 flood. The bust of the bard and some benches survived.

Friends of Shakespeare Garden formed in 2019 to revitalize the garden in collaboration with other groups, including the Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, Wednesday Shakespeare Club and the Cedar Rapids Garden Club.

The revitalization will bring enhanced structures and natural preservation elements to the garden. Those spearheading the transformation will look to partner with the city, local artists and entertainers to offer classes, concerts, shows and event space, allowing visitors to connect with nature and Shakespeare’s works.

The approximately 100-year-old garden is a collection of some of the 175 plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s writing. Only about three dozen such gardens are known to exist worldwide. In the United States, the themed gardens were designed to show solidarity with British allies during World War I.

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As of April, Pierson said the group has raised about $500,000 toward the $600,000 project. The project is anticipated to be complete around 2026.

More information is at friendsofshakespearegarden.org. To donate, visit gcrcf.org/nonprofit-giving/shakespeare-garden-fund.

Metro cities lobby for Tower Terrace funds

Marion representatives earlier this month visited Washington, D.C., to lobby for federal grants on behalf of the cities of Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins and Marion to go toward the $56 million remaining on the Tower Terrace Road project.

The Marion delegation was seeking support for the remaining segments of Tower Terrace Road to be built to link Interstate 380 and Highway 13 north of Blairs Ferry Road.

The region is seeking support for a 2024 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant request as well as the 2024 Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) application.

Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly, Deputy City Manager Kim Downs and Public Services and Utilities Director Mike Barkalow went on the trip, along with representatives of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and other cities throughout the region.

Two joint applications — with the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization, Linn County and the cities of Marion, Hiawatha, Cedar Rapids and Robins — were submitted recently.

The one in February requested $25 million in RAISE funding, and the one in May requested $38 million in MPDG Rural Transportation funding.

RAISE award announcements are anticipated this week, and MPDG award announcements are expected this fall.

Completion of this project will improve existing infrastructure, expand access and connectivity, increase motorist safety and advance the region’s overall sustainability and efficiency, according to Marion officials. It will serve more than 1,000 acres of mixed-use development.

The applications included 117 letters of support from local businesses and regional partners.

For every $1 spent, local officials estimate there is a $7.33 benefit for the communities included in the application. The project will take pressure off existing streets such as Boyson Road and East Robins Road, among others. It also will alleviate a shortage of east-west connections between I-380 and Highway 13.

When finished, the road will span 8.3 miles through Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, unincorporated Linn County and Marion.

Johnson County offering free gun locks

Johnson County has partnered with BE SMART, a program promoting responsible gun ownership to reduce child gun deaths, to provide free gun locks.

The locks can be picked up at the treasurer’s office, located in the Human and Health Services building, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, and at the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, 511 S. Capitol St., Iowa City.

There is a limit of three gun locks per visit. No proof of residency is required.

Coralville water rate increase begins July 1

The city of Coralville’s water rate increase will go into effect July 1 after being approved by the city council in the spring.

The city plans to use the rate increase to fund water system improvements and boost capacity.

The rates until June 30 are:

The rates as of July 1 are

Linn-Mar moves summer meetings

The Linn-Mar school board is temporarily meeting at Marion City Hall, 1225 Sixth Ave., through September.

The board meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m., unless posted otherwise. The next regular board meeting is July 8.

The temporary move comes as the district completes construction of its administration building near Winslow and Tower Terrace roads, just east of the tennis courts on the Excelsior Middle School campus.

The current administrative offices are housed with high school programs at the Learning Resource Center. Those programs, Venture and COMPASS, will have additional space for expansion once the administrative building is completed.

The 27,800-square-foot administrative building will include space for information technology, student services, human resources, business services, teaching and learning, nutrition services, communications, and volunteer services. The building also will provide additional meeting space and an updated boardroom.

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