A report from the Iowa City Downtown District found that July 2022 saw the highest number of visits for the month going back five years.
It showed that 218,700 visitors, employees and downtown district residents accounted for 588,000 visits last month, according to the release. 24% of all monthly visits happened July 11-17, the same week of Summer Sidewalk Sales.
Summer Sidewalk Sales was a four-day event where shoppers could find deals at their favorite downtown businesses. Participants included Prairie Lights Bookstore, Revival Clothing Store, Iowa Artisans Gallery, Sweets and Treats of Iowa City and more.
Iowa City office space uptick
Firms in different industries — including architecture, engineering and tech — have all required more office space. Legal Architecture, PRVN Engineering, RDG Planning & Design and Cartila Gen all signed new leasing in this district over the summer, according to the release.
Still, around 30,000-square-feet of office space is still available downtown, the district says.
Other notes
- 54% of district employees working a traditional 40 hour work week live with five miles of downtown.
- Johnson County funds have been budgeted for a mixed-use development at county-owned land which will include affordable housing, child care service and office space.
- More than 144,000 combined visitors attended the University of Iowa graduation, Iowa City Arts Fest, Iowa City Pride parade and the Downtown Block Party.
