Coralville: New Condo/Old Town Mixed Use Development

[RDCFIC]

Here is a Press Citizen article regarding not only progress on flood recovery/prevention projects, but also a new condo development and a mixed-use development dubbed "Old Town," to go in areas near the First Avenue/Hayden Fry Way corridor. I'm thinking, if done right, these developments could continue Coralville's recent efforts is some good quality urbanization, as the Cville Public Library, the mixed-use condo/performing arts center and the IRL have been raising the bar a little bit in this town. It's encouraging to see, and only adds to the charm of this little metro area.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/312060010/1079/

[RDCFIC]

Coralville now considering specific proposals for Old Town Coralville:

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301070013

[DMRyan]

Here are the renderings of the new riverfront concepts, and the mixed use development (courtesy of Confluence).

[Westsider]

The Coralville City Council heard two proposals for the Old Town area last night.

The first, by Watts Team of Iowa City and Fusion Architects from Hiawatha, includes 40 three-story town homes and 123 condo units, as well as commercial space in the condo buildings, a dog park, amphitheater, and neighborhood square. Also, "gameday" condos might become part of their plan. Estimated cost: ~$40 million

The second, by Houser Enterprises and Baxter Construction, includes 180 (1-4 bdrm) rental units and 80 (1-2 bdrm) condo units as well as 20,000 square feet of commercial space. Many of the buildings would have green roofs and underground parking, as well as a club house with a fitness center. Estimated cost: ~$55 million

The two plans were reported in the Press-Citizen this morning: Developers Share Visions for Coralville

Watts/Fusion didn't provide a rendering of their plans. This is the Houser/Baxter proposal:

[DMRyan]

Much more of a massive urban scale than I imagined (perhaps even a little out of context with the area?), but that looks like a proposal that is hard to complain about.

Once again, while we're planning and discussing the next Dunkin Donuts' and Panda Express location in Des Moines, the Iowa City area is continuing to assert itself as the metro making the most progress in the state.

[hawk61401]

Once again, while we're planning and discussing the next Dunkin Donuts' and Panda Express location in Des Moines, the Iowa City area is continuing to assert itself as the metro with the most progress in the state.

LOL, very true, Ryan. Last Saturday night some friends and I ate at Red Lobster in Coralville. It and every restaurant in Coraville was packed. You could feel the energy. The article below doesn't even include the construction in downtown Iowa City. Des Moines is looking lame right now in comparison ...

The University of Iowa expects to bid $900 million in construction over the next 18 months. The work could last up to five years. It’s “a level of work creation never before seen in Iowa at one location,” says Rod Lehnertz, director of UI’s planning, design and construction.

The university will spend about $20 million a month on construction projects, such as replacing Hancher Auditorium, a $130 million project, and UI’s Children’s Hospital, a $180 million project. Lehnertz said the university volume is nearly three times its typical spending.

And that list doesn’t include projects already under way like the $133 million Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building.

http://icp-c.com/KlOFEt

[DMRyan]

Well, I don't know if comparing Coralville's Red Lobster is any different from what you'll find in the chain restaurants in West Des Moines when it comes to any buzz factor (especially when you go to the lake at Jordan Creek), but the fact remains that "The Corridor" is in for one heck of a boom over the coming years. Quite honestly, Iowa's growth has been so dismal, having two to three very strong, very fast growing metros is just what is needed.

I've said it before, this is East Central Iowa's development decade, just as it was for Des Moines during the 2000's.

[GoVerticalDSM]

For all the building going on out there, it is interesting that DM is still the fastest growing metro in the state from the latest census estimate and Forbes is picking DM as the 2nd job growth metro in the nation. Maybe DM overbuilt in the 2000s and that is still be absorbed, residentially and commercially.

There is also a lot of gov't money flowing in from the flood out in E Iowa, some of it is being used for what it should be, protection from future flooding, but a large amount is being used for things that are curious, at best.

No question that Iowa City has their own version of John Ruan that is making things happen downtown. We could use some of that vision, again.

With DM's growth recently and bright jobs future, maybe that will jump start things.

[hawk61401]

No question that Iowa City has their own version of John Ruan that is making things happen downtown. We could use some of that vision, again.

And what a vision it is .. There will be more new, shiny towers for downtown Iowa City. For those in the Iowa City area, you can see Ellen Buchanan interview Marc Moen. Marc will discuss his vision of creating a vibrant downtown for Iowa City. It airs at 6:00 pm - 6:35 pm, Monday May 28th, on ICPL channel 10.

[Westsider]

There is also a lot of gov't money flowing in from the flood out in E Iowa, some of it is being used for what it should be, protection from future flooding, but a large amount is being used for things that are curious, at best.

Could you explain what you mean by "curious" or give an example or two?

[Mastermind]

There is also a lot of gov't money flowing in from the flood out in E Iowa, some of it is being used for what it should be, protection from future flooding, but a large amount is being used for things that are curious, at best.

Could you explain what you mean by "curious" or give an example or two?

I was thinking the same thing. GoVertical seems to have a "issue" with eastern Iowa.

[GoVerticalDSM]

GoVertical seems to have a "issue" with eastern Iowa.

Right, blockade 'em at Grinnell.

What I have an issue with is using the flood as a scam to get all kinds of goodies you couldn't compete for in the VisionIowa process. This has nothing to do with IC.

It is the public sector equivalent of insurance fraud. Using taxpayer flood recovery money to build a convention center that wasn't even there to be flooded in the first place. Scamming more money to build a new library when the current could and is being restored for something else. I think it is more a case of "DM has a new library, let's use the flood to scam a new one to keep up with them," nevermind the fact that the current one could have been restored for far less $. I heard it is being restored for something.

No problem, taxpayers will foot the bill because we are "victims." Milk it for what its worth. That's why we have this enormous debt. Now they are crying for money for "flood protection." Should have thought about that 2 years ago when they were scamming all these freebies.

Call names or whatever, but next time your dishwasher floods and ruins your kitchen floor, try to get your insurance company to foot the bill for a new addition to your house while you're at it. See how far that gets you.

[Mastermind]

GoVertical seems to have a "issue" with eastern Iowa.

Right, blockade 'em at Grinnell.

What I have an issue with is using the flood as a scam to get all kinds of goodies you couldn't compete for in the VisionIowa process. This has nothing to do with IC.

It is the public sector equivalent of insurance fraud. Using taxpayer flood recovery money to build a convention center that wasn't even there to be flooded in the first place. Scamming more money to build a new library when the current could and is being restored for something else. I think it is more a case of "DM has a new library, let's use the flood to scam a new one to keep up with them," nevermind the fact that the current one could have been restored for far less $. I heard it is being restored for something.

No problem, taxpayers will foot the bill because we are "victims." Milk it for what its worth. That's why we have this enormous debt. Now they are crying for money for "flood protection." Should have thought about that 2 years ago when they were scamming all these freebies.

Call names or whatever, but next time your dishwasher floods and ruins your kitchen floor, try to get your insurance company to foot the bill for a new addition to your house while you're at it. See how far that gets you.

I didnt mean it as an insult. However i have noticed a few posters using terms like "eastern bloc" and blaming Eastern Iowa for DSM not getting its fair share.

[RDCFIC]

New article: C'ville Counsel is close to picking a developer/design for "Old Town Coralville." I like where they are going with this, generally speaking, but I just can't resist pointing out that "Old Town Coralville" will soon be the newest development in Coralville. Kind of undercuts the "Old" in the name. That said, if it ends up being a good-looking urban space that invites some pedestrian traffic, I'll be happy to have it and call it whatever they want. Double bonus if it actually does end up looking like a classic urban village development that one can imagine was always there, or should have been. The article includes a rendering of a possible townhouse row design they might go with.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20120710/NEWS01/307100023/Coralville-to-vote-on-Old-Town-plan?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage