Local Government

Lobbyists for cities and traffic camera companies said the companies’ work is more efficient than government and ultimately saves taxpayers

Engineers and the county’s emergency managers will be running tests from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday. “Please disregard any audible alerts or messages heard during this period,” emergency mangers advised in a news release.

The warehouses will be a size that’s not currently available in Cedar Rapids. City Economic Development Project Coordinator Scott Mather said city staff get inquiries at least monthly for warehouse space that’s immediately available, and these projects will help meet that demand.

County bought the property for $1.7 million to serve as affordable housing.

Also, the outdoor ice skating rink at Cedar Rapids’ Hughes Park opens

The identity of the retailer has not been disclosed. The name could be made public as soon as March, according to a spokesman for the developer.

Danisco US Inc. on Tuesday was granted city financial incentives for a planned $68 million expansion of the company’s plant in southwest Cedar Rapids.

The Iowa City Council’s District C seat is vacant after Andrew Dunn’s resignation took effect Jan. 1. Three people have filed to run for the office.

A public hearing for a planned $7.31 million project to improve a portion of busy Mount Vernon Road in southeast Cedar Rapids was pulled from Tuesday’s city council meeting agenda, but will be back at a future meeting, a city official said.

The $19.3 million project, located at 1944 County Home Rd. in Marion, will combine the Engineering Office and the Main Stop into one building and provide space to park all county vehicles at that site indoors.

The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday will consider a resolution of support for city incentives to boost the redevelopment of the long closed Sears store at Lindale Mall. The store was closed in 2018.

Also, Johnson County expands eligibility for its Childcare Assistance Incentive Program