Local Government

In a career spanning 45 years, Linn County’s outdoor recreation planner Randy Burke has had his hands on just about any development in county parks since the 1980s. He’s helped build a sparse trail system into one that connects municipalities spanning multiple Iowa counties.

The NewBo Loftus project involved significant collaboration among city officials, state leaders and private partners, said Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted the state's $2 million investment through workforce housing and brownfield tax credits.

Seven housing projects in the Corridor received a combined boost of $5.03 million from the state Tuesday, helping add 310 residential units to the local market.

Also, Hiawatha will host an open house and ribbon-cutting for its new fire station this week.

Prospect Meadows, the Linn County nonprofit baseball complex, faced headwinds brought on by 2020 disasters within a year of opening that hindered its startup period. But persistent lagging profits and looming debt are prompting the organization to urgently explore ways to boost revenue in consultation with local governments.

The Iowa Public Information Board issued the advisory opinion this week after a question was posed by the Benton County Attorney’s Office

Lacey Schroeder has been hired as the new Uptown Marion program director starting Aug. 21. She succeeds Brooke Prouty.

City of Cedar Rapids officials are exploring options to reduce the cost of its $348.3 million project to improve the Water Pollution Control Facility after awarding a construction contract exceeding initial cost estimates by about $70 million. Workforce constraints mostly fueled bids coming in higher than anticipated.

Also, Linn County taking absentee ballots for school district special elections

The Iowa State Auditor’s Office released a report Thursday on the use of city funds in Ryan, two days after a similar report for the city of Delhi was released stating the former city clerk, who now works as the city clerk in Ryan, had been misusing funds.

Coralville residents who came out to meet with four candidates for police chief Tuesday night say they’re looking for someone who is a natural leader and will prioritize community relationships.

Iowa City is looking for a developer to turn a vacant downtown lot into a mixed-use building that could offer anything from entertainment and hotel rooms, to dining and office space. There is one proposal the city will not consider: luxury student housing.