Marissa Payne

With homelessness on the rise and Cedar Rapids residents being in need of more affordable housing, here’s what candidates seeking Cedar Rapids City Council seats in Nov. 7 local elections had to say about improving housing access.

It’s “encouraging” Iowa lawmakers cut Iowans’ property taxes, Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said on Iowa Press Friday, but the resulting revenue reduction to the city could mean the city scales back spending.

Also, Brown NationaLease facility, which has a location in North Liberty, coming to Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids area development professionals said employers have to explore new strategies to keep construction moving. That includes new incentives to attract and retain workers, as well as being more open to finding legal pathways for immigrants to work.

A $300,000 grant will support the nonprofit Cultivate Hope Corner Store operated by Matthew 25, fueling its mission of offering healthy food in a Cedar Rapids neighborhood where affordable, nutritious food options were scarce.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is enacting a policy to help county staff handle incidents of workplace violence by employees or the public, making clear that physical, verbal or visual threats or other disruptive behavior are not allowed on county property.

Cedar Rapids is searching for a nonprofit to own the Wellington Heights building that the city is turning into affordable housing. Rental costs and possible supportive services will be determined through competitive proposals, but the city is targeting those making at least 80 percent area median income.

A massive new mixed-use development called Rookwood Estates will add about 1,000 housing units to Marion over several phases in the coming years. It’s being planned by by Chad Pelley of Twenty40 Building Concepts.

Marion City Council advanced a one-year pause on new development along Tower Terrace Road, Highway 13 and Uptown Marion, allowing time for the city’s comprehensive plan update.

The 2023 Iowa Ideas conferences offers seven economic development sessions over two days, covering topics that include housing rehab, collaborative economic development and fueling new projects.

Residents of Ely will be asked on the Nov. 7 ballot to consider supporting a $7 million bond referendum for a new Community Center — a facility that would house City Hall, the library and other recreational services.

City clerks are the one job Iowa’s 940 cities are required to have, but more of them are leaving the profession as resources dwindle and they may lack training support. Especially in small cities, city clerks are the heart of local government — managing finances, answering to citizens and giving city councils the documents they need.

As local officials explore possible shifts to which entities and employees manage downtown, Thoeming resigned from the alliance as its downtown advocate. His departure comes amid a restructuring of downtown management responsibilities before the city considers a new vision plan guiding downtown’s future.

Karen Kawala, a University of Iowa graduate, will build relationships with external entities to strengthen Linn County’s resiliency to disasters, especially the marginalized communities most vulnerable to disasters.

The city of Cedar Rapids is piloting a program to give vouchers to low-income households toward purchasing a bike or e-bike at local shops. The effort aims to provide them with a low-cost transportation method to help them travel to work, appointments and social services.