First Avenue construction delays likely to affect Hawkeye football fans

CORALVILLE - Road construction on First Avenue that has been causing headaches for many businesses is about to do the same for students and Hawkeye football fans.

Summer rains, high water levels in Clear Creek and utility issues have caused a one-month delay on the first phase of the reconstruction project, according to Dan Holderness, city engineer for the city of Coralville.

“Unfortunately there's so much work to get done so there's no way we can get it done by the fall football season,” Holderness said Monday. “We're going to tell people to allow a little extra time. Leave early. There will be some extra delays but you know, it's all for a good project so that's just one of the growing pains.”

Kelly McCann of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce said not all businesses are being negatively affected by the construction.

But business has been down for many along the route, said Dr. Bradi Arnold, a chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic, 210 First Ave, which is “very, very concerning to us.”

“It's kind of a nightmare right now,” Arnold said. “I used to come to work on First Avenue and I avoid it now. So I can't blame people for avoiding it.”

Arnold said the convenience of being located just off Interstate 80 used to be one of the perks she advertised.

“Get off on First Avenue, get an adjustment and be on your way,” she said. “That's really not the case anymore, sadly.”

First Avenue is usually the route football teams use to get to Kinnick Stadium. University of Iowa sports information Director Phil Haddy and Coralville Police officials said Monday they are still trying to figure out which road opposing teams will take to get to Kinnick. A meeting about what to do has been scheduled.

Arnold said she hopes fans that still use First Avenue this season will notice nearby stores. She is cautiously optimistic that may translate into more customers for her business.