Local Government

Developers on Thursday presented plans for an estimated $21 million mixed-use building at the former Marion library site on Sixth Avenue across from City Square Park. The yet-named development would include roughly first-floor commercial space and 63 upper-level apartments.

Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel said comments made by Iowa City Council members this week prompted his decision to rescind his support for a law enforcement facility that would be shared by his department and Iowa City Police.

The future of a proposed joint law enforcement facility and jail to be shared by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa City Police Department remains up in the air, even after a majority of the Iowa City Council expressed support Tuesday for moving forward with the next step of the process.

The development was one of seven Corridor-area projects to receive recent state-issued workforce housing tax credits.

Tiffin is Iowa’s fastest-growing city. And as it has grown, so have its needs. The community gathered Tuesday to break ground on construction of a new recreation center that’s designed to meet those needs and future needs.

Also in this week’s Government Notes roundup of local news, Iowa City is launching a “Project Cleanup” volunteer litter removal program.

Housing insecurity remains a complex issue with myriad underlying causes and challenges, but evidence is mounting that ongoing collaborations and newly established initiatives are starting to make a difference.

The nearly 45,000 square foot Corridor Sports Performance Center, to be built near Liberty High School in North Liberty, will include four basketball courts, physical therapy spaces, a fitness center, and community event space.

The chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Jon Green, is defying an order from Gov. Kim Reynolds that flags on public buildings be flown at half-staff through Sunday in honor of Charlie Kirk.

Marion city staff say the aquatic center project ‘isn’t over by any means,’ although more work is needed before taking the issue to voters.

The Iowa City Council is contemplating whether to take the Johnson County Board of Supervisors up on its formal invitation to establish a joint law enforcement authority to explore the possibility of a new law enforcement facility shared by both entities.

The Great Plains Action Society, an Indigenous-led nonprofit centered on social and climate justice, is looking to establish a community hub at a group of buildings near the Riverfront Crossings neighborhood in Iowa City.