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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa City’s economic development coordinator retires after 17 years
‘I think I'll miss the people as much as I’ll miss the work,’ Wendy Ford says
IOWA CITY — It’s been a “really rewarding” 17 years for Wendy Ford as economic development coordinator for the city of Iowa City.
Ford, who became the coordinator in 2006 and retired Aug. 11, acted as a liaison between the city and the business community. She said she’s going to “ease into” retirement and is looking forward to traveling more, spending time with family and friends and having time for her hobbies, like kayaking, biking and making jewelry.
“I think I'll miss the people as much as I’ll miss the work, but I'm also super looking forward to having my time be my time,” Ford said.
She spoke with The Gazette about her career with the city, building relationships with the community and memorable projects she was part of.
Building relationships
When Ford was hired, she was brought on as the city’s first full-time economic development coordinator. Part of her job was to serve as a point person when the business community needs something, such as answering questions about financial assistance, zoning or resources for how to start a business.
A lot of that work has included building relationships with business owners and the larger business community, which she said has a great experience.
“It's something that I absolutely love to do because it helps me sort of keep my finger on the pulse of the community,” Ford said.
It’s also a way to explain to people how city government works if they aren’t familiar with procedures or policies, as well as to check in on what’s needed or how things can be improved, Ford said.
Memorable projects
When asked about memorable projects throughout her career, Ford highlighted three.
The first was Hieronymus Square, a mixed-use building at the corner of Burlington and Clinton streets downtown. This is home to The Edge apartments, as well as various businesses on the first floor.
Ford said it was “greatly satisfying to see that come to fruition” since it was the first project she’d started working on when she joined the city.
The Chauncey — home to a hotel, condos, the FilmScene independent move theater, bowling alley SpareMe and more — is another project she mentioned. The Chauncey building is on College Street and is across from City Hall.
“That was just an enormous project that involved so many different elements and to just be a part of that and be part of the history … and watching it come to fruition has been really satisfying,” Ford said.
The project began with the city seeking a request for proposals, since it started on city-owned land. Ford said the city received 10 proposals on what should go on the land.
The Iowa City Council at the time was trying to strategize ways to have non-alcoholic venues be part of downtown. This proposal, Ford said, helped fulfill those goals with the bowling alley and expanded space for FilmScene — in addition to the taxable value that comes back to the city.
“The whole process for evaluating all those proposals and then getting to this project that ended up being built is enormously satisfying, even though it took several years from start to finish,” Ford said.
One of the most recent projects Ford was involved with was the redevelopment project to revitalize the downtown Pedestrian Mall. The Minnesota-based Tailwind Group purchased the buildings from 109 to 127 E. College St. to renovate and preserve them, allowing smaller businesses to move in.
“It checks so many boxes,” Ford said about the project, adding how it includes a new home for the Riverside Theatre, historic renovation of the exteriors and added retail use.
Tailwind contributed more than $1.8 million to the city's affordable housing fund as part of requirements for a tax increment district. The council in 2021 unanimously approved $12.25 million in tax increment financing over 15 years.
Looking ahead
The city is “still in the process of evaluating the position and how it may fit with current and future needs,” city spokesperson Shannon McMahon said. A salary will be determined once the position has been fully evaluated. City records show Ford was paid more than $123,000 in calendar year 2022.
For her successor, Ford said she didn’t have “sage advice,” but said the role requires collaborating with other city departments and organizations, being a good listener and being analytical.
One upcoming project the city will be focusing on is the vacant lot at 21 S. Linn St. The city is purchasing the vacant downtown property for $4.5 million and taking a lead role in redevelopment efforts.
“That’ll be a fun one,” Ford said.
The process will likely be similar to The Chauncey project and will include community input, council goals and putting out a request for proposals to developers.
“I have a pang of jealousy that I'll be gone at the start of that one,” Ford added.
Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com
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