Iowa City begins process for redeveloping former U.S. Bank site

Redevelopment plans for 21 S. Linn St. in Iowa City are progressing, now that results from the March survey are in. Three months ago, city officials opened a survey for Iowa City residents to discuss their downtown experiences and opinions on what they’d like to see developed in the empty lot. “Ultimately, our goal was through that public input phase, that what we heard could help inform that RFP (request for proposal) and the goals we have in that RFP, and then also perhaps influence what developers want to take away and incorporate into their proposals,” Rachel Kilburg Varley, Iowa City economic development coordinator, said at the Iowa City council’s June 4 work session. When asked by the survey, “What is missing downtown that would encourage you to come more often or stay longer?” the top five responses were additional parks/green space, retail, eateries, recreation/entertainment and parking. “Parks and green space was commonly mentioned,” said Ms. Kilburg Varley. “However, we’ve already established that our intent is to develop a mixed use redevelopment.” Respondents also said they would like to see more late-night and weekend options that aren’t alcohol-centered, free or inexpensive activities, public seating, expanded bike, ped and bus facilities, safety and cleanliness, and art and culture downtown. Bars, smoke shops, liquor stores, and luxury housing were listed as the top objectionable options for the lot. The proliferation of smoke shops and vape stores in Iowa City has been a growing concern to city officials, who established a moratorium on the issuance of new tobacco permits until January 2025. “There has been an increased presence of retail outlets primarily focused on retail sales of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products. Council wishes to study how to mitigate the harmful impacts of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products on public health,” the May 7 agenda stated.

Council members weigh in

At the June 18 council meeting, council member Josh Moe said he would like to see a sustainable and durable facility built on the former site of U.S. Bank as a “long-term investment” in the city. “One of our goals for this is – we’re looking at the long-term health of the downtown. We’re not making short-term decisions with this project, we’re really trying to add long-term value,” Geoff Fruin, Iowa City’s city manager, said. Council member Andrew Dunn suggested an incubator space for fledgling businesses and startups, but Mayor Bruce Teague pointed out that the downtown area already had MERGE and the up-and-coming Dream City. “We would have to do a needs assessment for some of this stuff,” mayor Teague said. “We have a bunch of information that has come from the public. I think we should [sift] through that and then make a recommendation that seems to be in line with our strategic goals…I’m comfortable with just waiting to see what the next iteration of this process brings.” Council member Megan Alter mentioned the desire to see the structure complement its surroundings, eschewing the idea of high-end student housing as an option, a sentiment council member Andrew Dunn echoed. “One thing that I would have a very hard time with is luxury student housing,” Ms. Alter said. “I just don’t think there’s a need for it.” The economic development committee will be meeting over the next few weeks to analyze and update the 2017 TIF policy before bringing it to the council for consideration, and an RFP is expected by September.