Iowa City: Riverfront Crossings District

[bmadden]

Interesting news from the Iowa City government on the redevelopment efforts for the neighborhood south of downtown, now being called the "Riverfront Crossings District." The city sends out a semi-weekly newsletter called "The Planner," which can be accessed from the city's website, and this week's had a focus on this new project. Iowa City is teaming up with the EPA, the Rebuild Iowa Office, and FEMA. Some notable quotes:

In a series of public meetings scheduled in November, the City and a team of experts from the EPA’s Smart Growth Assistance Program will be asking for input from local citizens to help guide efforts to transform Riverfront Crossings into a walkable, transit-friendly neighborhood that features a mix of housing, storefront retail and office space, entertainment and recreational facilities, and public open space and trails.
...
The City, RIO, FEMA, and the EPA believe that redevelopment of this area can serve as a model for other cities in Iowa and the Midwest that are trying to combine flood protection efforts with green building, affordable housing, and transit-oriented development in an urban setting.

This is especially interesting since this area is where the potential passenger rail service to Chicago, and possibly to Cedar Rapids, would stop, plus there's all the talk about relocating Hancher here. It will be exciting to see how this neighborhood transforms in the coming years.

[SharpHawkeye]

Here's the link: http://www.icgov.org/site/CMSv2/Auto/newsletters/24.pdf

It's great that the city is going to give this area some attention. Between the possible Hancher move, the new courthouse/jail building, and the depot getting renovated and used for Amtrak--this area has incredible potential.

The name sounds like a strip mall, though.

[BenRoethig]

Don't give them any ideas.

[SharpHawkeye]

Kudos to the Press-Citizen for putting this story above the fold in today's paper. The Gazette has a blurb, with a good picture of the area and a promise for more coverage later.

City puts vision to paper
Officials unveiling details of Riverfront Crossings District

Josh O'Leary • Iowa City Press-Citizen • October 27, 2009

Iowa City officials' vision of extending downtown south from Burlington Street now has a name and a plan.

The city on Monday announced plans for the Riverfront Crossings District, a pedestrian friendly neighborhood that will blend housing, storefront and retail space with entertainment and recreational facilities. Designs also call for land to be used for public space and trails.

Riverfront Crossings will be roughly bordered by the Iowa River on the west, Gilbert Street on the east, Burlington Street on the north and Highway 6 on the south.

"Overall, it's a long-term project that will take advantage of the real asset that the river is for the community," Interim City Manager Dale Helling said.

Parts of the district were ravaged a year ago by floodwater, including the North Wastewater Treatment Plant, which the city now plans to relocate.

It's because of the flood, however, that the city has begun taking such ambitious strides toward the future, Mayor Regenia Bailey said.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20091027/NEWS01/910270310/1079
http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/27/iowa-city-plans-for-redevelopment-south-of-downtown

[SharpHawkeye]

Interesting article in the Daily Iowan a few days ago (I've been too busy to post). Seems some business owners are leery of the city's methods for revitalizing the district. I wonder if this has been an issue in other areas in the state that have gone through this kind of change?

Riverfront Crossings gets some bad reviews

BY MITCHELL SCHMIDT | NOVEMBER 18, 2009 7:21 AM

Will Ingles’ bookstore was built in 1859, when the building was used as a stagecoach layover station and later as a Pony Express station.

But now city officials are planning a renovation project in the area, known as the Riverfront Crossings District, that contains Ingles’ the Book Shop, 608 S. Dubuque St.

“I know things change,” he said. “But change is not always welcome by those who have no input.”

He said he was concerned when representatives from one of the urban-design firms showed little knowledge about the area. They were unaware of his shop’s history and other aspects, such as the location of the Iowa City Post Office — a building less than a block away.

Ingles — and some other residents — said they’re concerned they will have limited say in decisions, while others have praised the project.

It's a good article, with a neat radio-style interview audio.

http://www.dailyiowan.com/2009/11/18/Metro/14456.html

[SharpHawkeye]

City eyes new parking facility:
Seeking developer for commercial and residential end of the project

JOSH O'LEARY • IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN • AUGUST 6, 2010

Iowa City officials are prepared to begin design and engineering work as soon as this fall on a mixed-use parking facility at the site of the old St. Patrick's parish hall.

Construction could begin next year on the half-block lot at East Court Street and South Linn Street. Early plans call for a 600-space ramp, which could cost between $15 million and $20 million, and also include commercial space and possibly residential units.

The ramp will rise just a block away from the last city-built ramp, the $13 million Court Street Transportation Center that opened in 2005 along S. Dubuque Street.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20100806/NEWS01/8060307/1079

Six hundred parking spaces, plus commercial and possibly residential property would make this ramp around the size of the Tower Place (510 spaces) or Court Street (600 spaces) ramps. It looks like the city is expecting big growth in the area.

[BenRoethig]

Downtown can only really grow south.

[weeks.adam]

"If the long-range visions of city planners, University of Iowa leaders and private developers one day come to pass, the hustle and bustle of downtown Iowa City won't end at Burlington Street..."

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20 ... f-downtown

[DMRyan]

The first eye candy is coming out showing the conceptual vision for this neighborhood. Sounds like plans are in place for a large park system along the riverfront, which can really add an urban riverfront amenity to Iowa City that isn't availble currently. Could the midrise shown in the drawings be the proposal by Moen Group development that would house the U of I music program?

[bmadden]

Moen isn't doing the School of Music project, though I think he's expressed interest in doing the Art Museum. The School of Music is being done with another private developer (whoever was doing Hieronymus Square). I wonder too if that's a conceptual drawing of that building, or if it's just an example of what they'd like to see done around the park. I remember reading somewhere that their hope was for mixed-use buildings up to 10 stories around the park. Speaking of the School of Music, the UI has finally negotiated the purchase of the last bank property it needs to move forward with the project: http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20 ... 80327/1079

[Mastermind]

Looks like this district might also score a Hampton Inn. Seems a little odd since there is already one in Coralville.
http://www.businessrecord.com/main.asp? ... tionID=100

[DMRyan]

This is the same group proposing the Hampton Inn on the riverfront in Des Moines. looks like they're in expansion mode.

[RDCFIC]

Here is another article on the Hampton Inn that is likely coming: http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20110930/NEWS01/109300346/1079/

Also, the Riverfront Crossings general plan has been OK'd by the city: http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011110050332

RDCFIC

[Mastermind]

This hotel is also in a prime position to capture the football weekend crowds. Right now there are basically 2 hotels near campus (Sheraton and Vetro)

[RDCFIC]

http://www.press-citizen.com/comments/article/20111112/NEWS01/311120028/City-UI-full-steam-ahead-Riverfront-Crossings

Another article regarding the coming changes to the neighborhood... it sounds like some pretty cool things are coming.

[econboy]

Sounds like more and more controversy around the use of TIF and tax payer dollars over in the IC-Coralville area. I hope that the cities over there don't go too far and end up angering developers to a point where things reverse and backfire from an economic development standpoint over the long-term.

[bmadden]

One of the projects discussed as a sort of catalyst development for this neighborhood has been a public/private mixed-use building at the corner of Linn and Court streets. The city would operate and maintain a 500 or so space parking ramp, while a private developer would build housing targeted toward young professionals (or probably, just anyone but students). The last I remember reading about it, the city was wanting to move forward with the project, but there was no private developer mentioned that had signed on, and no plans were really underway. Apparently, that may have changed. I came across renderings for just such a project on the architect's website (http://www.neumannmonson.com/ - it's listed under the In Progress section). Here's one of the renderings:
It doesn't give any information other than to say it is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013. I don't know if these are just conceptual renderings or if this is the actual plan, but I am hoping it's the former, because I think it's kind of ugly. Still, it would certainly be a big first step toward redeveloping this neighborhood.

[RDCFIC]

Yikes! I'm all for a big development at this site, but hopefully what actually gets built here will be much more attractive in person than this fugly rendering, because permanent residents will always have to live with it for a long time. There is always potential to build a great new building instead of a mediocre or crappy one, and great building designs help make a city great, so I'm always hoping for the best.

[DMRyan]

Could be a beautiful mid rise if only they get rid of the panels. The base is great, and if they put that vertical glass curtain wall shown mid-way through the building up the remainder of the building it could be a winner.

The design as it stands would be controversial and memorable, but I'm guessing there will always only be a small minority that would think this is attractive. See the Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis for example. It's a well-known building among locals, but is appreciated as an architectural statement by few.

[bmadden]

Yeah, I think it's the panels that bug me so much, it wouldn't be as bad without them. It just makes me think of a cheap dormitory or something; I'm pretty underwhelmed by the design. But who knows, maybe in person it would look better? Assuming that's what it will ultimately look like.

[Mastermind]

Yeah, I think it's the panels that bug me so much, it wouldn't be as bad without them. It just makes me think of a cheap dormitory or something; I'm pretty underwhelmed by the design. But who knows, maybe in person it would look better? Assuming that's what it will ultimately look like.

Aside from the panels i think it looks great.

[urbanite17]

According to their website, Plato's Closet will be opening soon in Iowa City, on South Gilbert St. I can't tell exactly from the map, but it looks like it will either be located in the new Abbey Apartments next to Gabe's or in the new mixed use building they are putting up on the former site of the Red Avocado.

http://www.platoscloset.com/locations/list/IA

[hawk61401]

The multi- use parking facility is delayed.

City staffers, in a memorandum released Thursday, said they want to delay the project for one year, in part because of uncertainty over whether there is enough demand for the parking spots.

The structure is to be at the corner of Linn and Court streets south of downtown. That’s an area known as Riverfront Crossings, which city officials hope to see redeveloped in the coming decades. City officials have pointed to the parking facility as a big part of those plans.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Cit ... 41006.html

[RDCFIC]

Stay tuned for more details on the finalized plans for the Riverfront Crossings District, and apparently part of the plans include a portion of downtown as well.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20120924/NEWS01/120924012/1079/

[Mastermind]

Plans will be unveiled today. Here is a Before and After.

BEFORE


AFTER


For those not familiar with the area, on the bottom left is the McDonalds. On the other side of the railroad tracks in the top right is where Kum & Go, Dairy Queen and Dominos is located. If you continue to the right (NORTH) you will hit a hilly wooded area, the Law building is up on the cliff, then Hilcrest Dorm.

[hawk61401]

Holy cow, thanks for the pics, Mastermind. That's an eye opener if this all comes to fruition. That's the McDonalds at the corner of West Benton St and Hwy 1.

Iowa City and Coralville are changing right before our eyes.

[RDCFIC]

There may be more details and renderings tonight after the public unveiling of the master plan, but for now, you can see some more before and after renderings via the PC article:

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20121001/NEWS01/121001006/1079/

It looks pretty ambitious, but keep in mind they also expect the development of the area to be taken one at a time, on a case-by-case basis, from proposals mostly from private developers, and over a 10-20 period, possibly longer. Still, it seems to me this a move toward more and higher quality urbanization for I.C.

[Mastermind]

That is an active railroad, otherwise a pedestrian bridge would be wonderful here. Actually, i believe this is the same Iowa City- Chicago Amtrak line and the Hawkeye Express in Coralville.

[DMRyan]

It's like our (Iowa's) own miniature version of Madison, Wisconsin, only without the lakes. These master plans look great. In conjunction with Coralville's ambitious plans for their riverfront, there definitely be choices in which urban redevelopment area people could live in based upon their tastes.

Hopefully a few of those mid-rise residential towers come to fruition.

[Mastermind]

Its really not too far from campus, especially the Medical/Law/Arts campuses. I would not be surprised to see multiple midrises popping up fairly quickly.