Officials look at opportunties for post-flood redevelopment in Iowa City

Iowa City has a tremendous opportunity to redevelop the area south of downtown.

That was the message from city and federal officials and urban design experts Wednesday night at a kickoff meeting taking a broad look at a section of town ripe for change, especially following last year's flood.

“It seems like we've got a perfect storm ... in terms of the circumstances leading us to this event,” said Jeff Davidson, the city's planning and community development director.

More than 60 people attended the meeting. The city is being joined in its effort by state and federal agencies and national urban planning experts.

Representatives from those groups will meet with local officials and the public through Friday to share and hear ideas. There will be an open house and a public input session Friday.

The area being evaluated is roughly bordered by Burlington Street on the north, Highway 6 on the south, Gilbert Street on the east and the Iowa River on the west. It currently is mostly a hodgepodge of apartment, governmental and commercial buildings that isn't typically thought of as its own neighborhood.

The goal is to have a dense, walkable neighborhood with a mix of housing, recreational, commercial and employment opportunities.

The city is now calling it the Riverfront Crossings District after the river and two railroad lines that run through it. Those features will figure prominently in its future.

The river can be a community attraction, but flood-protection efforts and green space also will be important, said John Frece, director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Smart Growth program.

Local officials are hoping for an Iowa City-to-Chicago Amtrak line and a separate light-rail service between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

Davidson noted that with the University of Iowa and downtown being just north of the district, there is a large employment center that is ideal for public transportation.

The redevelopment is likely to be a long-term project done in phases by both the public and private sectors.