A rezoning and establishment of a master plan for a proposal called Gather Iowa, also known as Folsom’s Subdivision, passed unanimously during a Coralville City Council meeting Aug. 23. The mixed-use development plan, which was described as the “gateway into Coralville,” is managed by Rael Development Corporation and BKV Group. It will feature housing and […]
A rezoning and establishment of a master plan for a proposal called Gather Iowa, also known as Folsom's Subdivision, passed unanimously during a Coralville City Council meeting Aug. 23.
The mixed-use development plan, which was described as the "
gateway into Coralville," is managed by Rael Development Corporation and BKV Group. It will feature housing and retail space, as well as a welcome plaza, flexible performance stage, loggia hangout, social lounge pool, games lawn, outdoor kitchen, spa, entertainment zone and 905 parking stalls.
City council was more receptive Tuesday to the proposal after Mayor Meghann Foster and Councilor Hai Huynh voiced their objections to the plan Aug. 9, saying the development would displace current residential occupants and minority-owned businesses and raise rent prices in the area.
The change of heart came once RaelCorp agreed to modify the plan to include more affordable housing elements.
"I do feel much better about where we are at now with this development, said Mayor Foster at the last meeting. "We have received communication from the developer stating that they that understand affordability is a priority for the area, and that they understand the next phases of the project are contingent on maintaining some of that affordable residential and commercial space."
RaelCorp President and CEO Graeme Rael gave three options to better accommodate the wishes of city council, as
reported by the Press-Citizen: collaborate with an organization like The Housing Fellowship, have an overall percentage of the area designated to affordable housing units or eliminate the townhomes in the plan. It's possible a combination of these options could be utilized.
Although second consideration for the plan passed Aug. 9, Mayor Foster voiced her displeasure of the plan at that meeting.
"I cannot support a development moving forward that does not preserve true affordability in that area, and I'm not talking about condos that are $200,000 in that area," she said.
"I'm all for economic development...but I cannot, in the same breath not advocate for true affordability," said Ms. Huynh Aug. 9, saying the development would negatively affect long-standing minority-owned businesses and minority residents of the community.
"I recognize that it's a private property," she added. "But it's also common courtesy to extend the information to the people, because the businesses that are there generate money to the landlord. How do you move a restaurant in 30 days notice?"
Principal Civil Engineer for Shive-Hattery Nick Hatz responded saying it would probably be at least "five to six months" until all aspects — including future rounds of planning and zoning and city council meetings for each lot's development, architectural design elements, entitlements of land map use agreements and permitting — of the Gather Iowa plan is finalized. Therefore, businesses will not be forced to move imminently.
Commercial tenants generally have a longer lead time, particularly if the business owner has an active lease, said Mr. Hatz.
