Newstrack: Vote set for next step in streetscape project

Background

IOWA CITY - Following a year of planning with Genus Landscape Architects out of Des Moines, Iowa City officials in early 2014 unveiled a massive streetscape plan for 16 blocks of downtown Iowa City and the nearby Northside Marketplace area.

The 165-page streetscapes report contemplated changes in traffic flows and added bicycle lanes, lighting, archways and utility upgrades. The plan came with a 10- to 15-year shelf life, providing the city with some leeway on which projects to tackle first.

Projects tied to deteriorating infrastructure or those that received strong public support could become top priorities.

What's happened since

Since July 1, 2014, when the city budget included a $1 million line item for streetscape plan projects, several visible upgrades have taken place, specifically on the Pedestrian Mall.

The city has resurfaced the downtown playground, located next to the Iowa City Public Library, added recycling stations and begun the planning process for several larger undertakings.

On Tuesday, the Iowa City Council will vote on opening bids for the largest streetscape project yet, a complete overhaul of Washington Street between and including the street's intersections with Linn and Clinton streets.

The estimated $5.2 million project is tied to much-needed utility upgrades beneath Washington Street and includes some redesign and repaving elements as well.

The plan entails adding new lighting, repaving the sidewalks and roadway and reconfiguring parking from diagonal spaces on one side of the street to parallel parking on both sides.

Geoff Fruin, Iowa City assistant to the city manager, said the project undoubtedly will cause some disruptions on Washington Street, just north of the Pedestrian Mall. But officials have been communicating and planning with the Iowa City Downtown District to minimize any possible headaches to pedestrians or business owners.

'There's no question that it will be a disruptive project ...

We want to make sure there is pedestrian access throughout that corridor at all times,” Fruin said.

'It is complicated to keep that pedestrian access open through the corridor, but that's something we're really committed to in this project so people can get from point A to point B on foot.”

Fruin said the estimated timeline is to start April 11, following Iowa City's hosting of the Olympic Trials, and finish the bulk of work by Sept. 30.

'Our goal is to get in and get out as quickly as possible,” he said.