Year End U-Heights in the News

As the Press Citizen does each December, they named their "10 To Watch in 2014" list last week. These are typically younger members of the area who have been caught the eye of the PC staff for their contributions to the local community. Included this year was incoming city councilor Zadok Nampala.

Here is what the Press Citizen story had to say:
Zadok Nampala
It was a bellwether year in University Heights, where a trio of pro-development city council candidates swept from office an old guard that had opposed a controversial project along Melrose Avenue.
Among those newly elected council members is Zadok Nampala, a 30-year-old father of three who came to the U.S. from Kenya in 2006. When he joins the council next month, Nampala will become one of the youngest elected officials in the area and represent the influx of younger families to the small enclave this past decade.
And families like his, he says, will benefit from the amenities that could come with the mixed-use commercial and residential project being proposed for the current St. Andrew Presbyterian Church site.
“It was an overwhelming win for us, and I think this will really bring people together,” said Nampala, who is eager to get to work on the project with the council. “Especially when we have a lot of young folks moving in, and they need a place to get together, and we don’t have that. I think the development will bring us together closer than ever.”
Nampala came to the U.S. from Kenya in 2006 when his wife, Erin Schmidt, was accepted to medical school at UI. The two had met when Schmidt was working in Nampala’s village for two years as a member of the Peace Corps. Today, the couple have three children — a 5-year-old son, a 2-year-old daughter and a newborn daughter.
Nampala is in his final year of graduate school at UI, where he’s pursuing his master’s in social work. He’s conducting his practicum with the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, where he assists with investigations and community outreach and is collecting data on racial disparities.
He also works as an interpreter at the Johnson County and Linn County courthouses, and helps connect African immigrants in the community with social services. He also volunteers with local African churches and helps refurbish salvaged items to donate to people in need.

The Press Citizen also reviewed their stories to watch for 2013 and University Heights figured in to one of those as well. Here is what that article had to say:

Diversity/Equity:

• What we said 12 months ago: “Iowa City has created an Ad Hoc Diversity Committee to study the ways the local minority and immigrant communities interact with public transportation and law enforcement. ... The results of those discussions will have significant impact on city and school policy decisions.”
• What we said six months ago: Local leaders “would do well to read through the report recently released by the Coalition for Racial Justice. The report, titled ‘Racial Equity in Iowa City and Johnson County,’ doesn’t take long to read — it’s only 18 pages — but the numbers and graph within show a stark contrast between the small percentage that people of color make up in Johnson County’s broader population and the large percentage they make up in arrest, incarceration, drop out, unemployment and other statistics.”
• What we say now: November’s city elections have changed at least one disturbing observation

made in the report released by the Coalition for Racial Justice this summer: “None of Iowa City’s, Coralville’s, or Johnson County’s current elected leaders are people of color. The Iowa City School Board includes one person of color.”
On Nov. 5, Iowa City voters elected Kingsley Botchway to become the council’s first black member since councilor and former mayor Ross Wilburn retired in 2011. That means, in terms of the diversity of local elected officials, Botchway now joins Tuyet Dorau (who was re-elected in September to the Iowa City Community School Board) along with Zadok Nampala and Silvia Quezada, who were just elected to the University Heights City Council.

As 2013 draws to a close I'd like to wish all of our community members a very happy and healthy 2014!
Since New Year's Eve is on a Tuesday, we WILL HAVE REGULAR GARBAGE AND RECYCLING PICK UP. Christmas Tree pick up will occur on January 7th and 14th.

The Boom Around Us

I found the link below last night and it is a succinct summary of what I've been thinking about as I watch the area skyline:

http://www.wecreatehere.net/2013/12/15/iowa-city-construction-boom/

The building boom fueled by both UI construction as well as ICCSD projects, certainly will have  both positive and negative consequences. Maximizing the former and minimizing the latter is the key for leaders of both municipal governments and other agencies. I'm glad there is cooperation and discussion happening throughout the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor.  As I mentioned in How Hospitals Affect University Heights we are very much in the middle of everything.

December Council Meeting Summary

 City Council held their final meeting of 2013 last night, here are some highlights:

Outgoing Councilors Recognized

With last night being the final council meeting of their terms, Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath were recognized with plaques commemorating their service and cake. I hope you will extend your thanks to each of them for their efforts on behalf of our community.

 

Severson Charity Challenge

University Heights is working to retain possession of the Severson Cup, awarded to the Johnson County municipality with the highest per capita donations to local charities. For more information on the contest, and how you can participate, please check Mayor Louise From's December 2013 Report

 

Winter Weather Reminders

Please remember that according to City Ordinance 82:
No owner, tenant, or other person in possession or control of property shall allow natural accumulations of snow or ice to remain upon abutting sidewalks for more than twenty-four (24) hours.  U-Heights Snow removal information/regulations

To read more about last night's meeting here is the agenda and attached documents.

Also some other good news to pass along:
 
Councilor Elect Zadok Nampala, and his wife, Erin Schmidt, welcomed their daughter, Zada Elizabeth Nampala, born November 26th. She joins older brother and sister Tai and Amaya.

November Council Meeting Summary

City Council held their regular November meeting last night. Here are some highlights:

Additional Leaf Vacuum Pick Up 11-21-13

One More Time: Council was able to approve an additional leaf vacuum pickup on Nov. 21. Please rake leaves to the curb as usual. Free leaf bag pick up will be moved back to Nov. 25/26.

New Snow Removal Contract

Get Ready for Winter: Council discussed selecting a new contractor to award the 2013-14 snow removal contact. Council will likely make final selection at a special meeting next week. Johnson County Refuse is retiring from snow removal only.  They will continue to handle our refuse, recycling and leaf/Christmas tree collection.

Lowered Speed Limit on Prospect

10 MPH on dead end street: Council approved a new speed limit for Prospect Place, this is a short dead end that has an uphill.There are no sidewalks on this street and quite a few small children.

Download the complete

agenda and attachments

Thank YOU!

It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I say thanks to the voters of University Heights. To have a turnout that is triple the county average is amazing.

City Council	Early Vote	Nov. 5TH	Total	Percent
Haverkamp	133	221	354	63%
Lane	129	205	334	60%
Quezada	126	198	324	58%
Miller	121	175	296	53%
Nampala	118	165	283	51%
McGrath	123	134	257	46%
Hopson	120	122	242	43%
Leff	116	125	241	43%
Stewart	116	104	220	39%
Write Ins	4	9	13

Top 5 finishers elected to council

MAYOR	Early Vote	Nov. 5TH	Total	Percent
From	151	205	356	90%
Write Ins	26	15	41

Total Voters	Early Vote	Nov. 5TH	Total
	242	317	559

When talking to the Press Citizen Tuesday night I was hoping to express that it is imperative for the new council to work to bring our community back together. It will take effort from all parties to do so.

Pro-development sweeps U. Heights
60.3 percent of registered voters cast a ballot,
which set a city record and led county in turnout

Voters turned out in record numbers Tuesday in University Heights, delivering a resounding pro-development message.
With 60 percent of registered voters casting a ballot, residents ousted the three City Council members who have stood in opposition of a developer’s plans to construct the mixed-use project along Melrose Avenue called One University Place.

Incumbents Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — who have fought the proposed commercial and condominium project that has been at the center of bitter debate the past five years — each lost their seats. They will be replaced by Virginia Miller,Zadok Nampala and Silvia Quezada, a trio of first-time challengers who ran on pro-development platforms.

“I’m really looking forward to working together with the rest of the group and finally having a green light for the development going forward, the way people in University Heights want to see it,” said Nampala, a 30-year-old master’s student in social work at the University of Iowa.
Pro-development incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane retained their council posts with the top two showings, garnering 63 percent and 60 percent, unofficially.

In total, 559 of University Heights’ 927 registered voters cast a ballot, or 60.3 percent. It was by far the highest percentage of any city in Johnson County, and set a new city record for turnout, surpassing the previous high mark of 534 voters in 2011.
Although past elections amid the One University Place debate have been decided by razor-thin margins and resulted in councils with clashing development philosophies, the coalition of pro-development candidates ran away with the race this time around.

Still, rather than touting victory, Haverkamp and others stressed moving on from the contentious and sometimes ugly debates of the past few years and bringing people back together.
“The thing to always remember is we’re a small town where we know everybody, so I think what’s important is to remember the entire community functioning together is the only way we’re going to move forward,” said Haverkamp, a 53-year-old teacher. “I think the responsibility the citizens of our community have entrusted us with is something I take very seriously, and I’ll make sure I’m responsible to everyone in the community.”

Lane, a 68-year-old investment consultant, said the pro-development camp presented “a positive vision” that resonated with voters. However, he said much of the heavy lifting lies ahead, particularity the looming question of how much financial support the city will contribute to One University Place.
“Quite frankly, the work is just beginning,” Lane said. “We have to figure out the right development, especially the financing. I don’t want to see the community get financially strapped.”

Quezada, a 39-year-old attorney, said that even though Tuesday’s five victors campaigned as a “loose coalition,” they each will bring distinct approaches to the council in how they’d like to see the development take shape.
“I think the voters are ready for smart, intelligent growth in our community, and I’m ready to do the people’s business and protect our best interest going forward and setting us up for a bright and fulfilling future in University Heights,” Quezada said.

Miller said that with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church set to finalize the sale of the property to the developer and relocate in the coming years, she’s eager to help University Heights “start trying to move forward.”
“We now have a pretty firm time line of when the church is moving out that we can work around, so there are not as many unknowns as there were in the past,” said Miller, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother.

Mayor Louise From, who ran uncontested, will serve a fifth term as mayor after collecting 90 percent of the votes.

YOUR TURN!

It's Election Day! Turnout this morning has already been brisk.

By 9:00 AM 51 people (5%) of registered voters had voted today
By 11:00 AM 94 people (10%) of registered voters had voted today

In early/absentee voting 250 ballots were cast

POLLS OPEN UNTIL 8:00 PM

ST. ANDREW CHURCH

1300 MELROSE

Thanks to All of You

As I wrapped up door knocking yesterday I was struck again by how much I enjoy living in University Heights. The fact that people will answer their door to talk and ask questions is such a joy. I am truly grateful.

-Mike

How Hospitals affect University Heights

While door knocking I was speaking with a new neighbor last week when he casually dropped the fact that the new UI Children's Hospital was looking to probably hire an ADDITIONAL 100 positions when it opens, projected for March of 2016. (I've been unable to find independent verification) I had no idea that the goal of the hospital project was to increase the size of the department so dramatically. I've been mulling that over for the past week and have thought a lot about the implications that may have for our town. 

The increase in the size of the building is also dramatic. With 12 stories projected above ground, and two levels below ground, (and PARKING even below that) the building will be a prominent feature of the west side landscape.

image courtesy of http://www.uichildrens.org/

University Heights was developed immediately after the opening of the original portion of University Hospital in 1924. An advertising piece that I have from the period states touts that homes would be located "only 5 or 6 blocks from the New Hospital." It also goes on to say. "A lot in University Heights is a safe investment because the $6,000,000 building program of the UNIVERSITY on the West Side will make a big demand for West Side property and will cause values to increase very rapidly.” Their next statement is, “In a few years we predict the West Side Campus of the University will be larger than the East Side, and this will develop a residence section on the West Side of the river as large as we now have on the East Side---a business district with hotels, stores, etc. Iowa City will grow and develop as the University develops… A future vision of Iowa City must be a vision of a New City on the West Side.” At another portion of the brochure is the statement, “University Heights has ample building restriction sufficient to protect all parties. A business district has been planned.”

When our home was built you could see the University Hospitals from the front porch:

 

Another piece of history I thought of is University Heights' historian Pat Yeggy's article about the building of the Grandview Apartments in 1950. This project was initiated due to a critical need for housing for the estimated 600 families that would be moving to the Iowa City area for the new Veteran's Hospital which was at that time under construction. There was opposition to that project too, which sounds a bit familiar today. Read the MINUTES of JAN. 18 & 30, 1950 COUNCIL MEETINGS.

So it seems that the timing of the potential One University Place would be fortuitous for the next round of Hospital expansion, as other major U-Heights development has been in the past.

Press Citizen Coverage of Council Race

Yesterday's Press Citizen featured the University Heights City Council race:

One University Place development is 'a tipping point' in U Heights
A decade ago, a typical city council race in University Heights wasn’t much of a race at all.
In each of the 2003 and 2005 city elections, for instance, just five candidates ran for five seats, meaning the only Election Day decision voters had to make was whether to write in another name.
That’s no longer the case in this enclave of about 1,100 residents, where a high-profile development proposal along Melrose Avenue has stirred up local political passions in recent years. There now are yard signs, websites and candidate forums — big-city campaigning in a small town.

On Tuesday, nine residents will vie for the council’s five spots, including all five incumbents, with the dominant issue remaining One University Place, which for nearly five years has been poised to be built on the property of the outgoing St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

While the central question in past years was whether developer Jeff Maxwell should be allowed to build a large-scale project at the site, now that the church has voted to finalize the property sale, the remaining questions include just how big One University Place should be, whether there will be a commercial component, and how much, if any, financial assistance the city should provide.

The three council members who have opposed the development — Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — say their position has shifted toward compromise now that the church’s move is imminent. Although Maxwell’s vision has been for a two-building development — one five-story residential building and one three-story mixed-use building — the three opposing council members are calling for a scaled-down version.

“The three of us began our journey on this council feeling strongly that we did not want any development there, and if we did, it should be very minimal,” said Leff, who is seeking a second term. “I think over time we’ve evolved, understanding this (as) an opportunity to oversee a development that would really enhance our community both financially and aesthetically, as well. I think we’re ready to compromise with whomever else (is) on the council.”

Hopson, who has served on the council since winning a special election in January 2011 and earning re-election later that year, has taken a hard stance against the $6.5 million in tax-increment financing assistance the developer has said he would require for the project.
“When you ask for a $6.5 million TIF, that leaves us with zero bonding capacity,” Hopson said. “I really wouldn’t feel comfortable with that as a councilor. What do you do in case of an emergency?”

McGrath, who has served eight years on the council, said he would like to see the council find middle ground with a project that would be “the least disruptive” to University Heights.
“It seems like in this process it’s been what’s best for the developer or what’s best for the community — not both,” McGrath said. “That’s what I’m trying to get back to — an ‘and’ in there and not an ‘or.’ That’s the biggest challenge.”

On the other side of the issue stand incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane, who have backed the Maxwell project during their time on the council. Haverkamp says public perception of the project has shifted in recent years, with more people — particularly younger residents — favoring walkable neighborhoods close to their workplace and amenities.

“I’m encouraged as I walk around and talk to people,” said Haverkamp, who is seeking a third term. “I think in 2008 and 2009, a five-story residential building and a three-story, mixed-use commercial building seemed pretty big. I think what’s happened in the greater Iowa City-Coralville area in those intervening years has also shaped perception in terms of other projects that people are seeing.”

Lane, who narrowly edged Rachel Stewart for the fifth and final seat in the 2011 election, said that with the church’s decision behind it, this is a key moment for University Heights. He said many longtime residents are recognizing the benefits the development could bring in the form of new amenities, as well.

“It’s young and old folks who are saying, ‘We have this opportunity, so let’s take it,’ ” Lane said. “I think the majority are speaking out and saying we want some things in there. This is a tipping point.”

Stewart, who missed winning a spot on the council by just one vote two years ago, favors a scaled-down version of the development that would require no TIF incentive from the city.
“My main concern has always been that I don’t like TIF being used for inappropriate developments,” Stewart said. “They were traditionally developed for areas of large cities that were blighted, where no one would do anything there unless they got some incentive. I can’t say the corner of Melrose and Sunset is a blighted spot.”

The other challengers are voicing support for a larger version of One University Place more in line with Maxwell’s original vision.

Zadok Nampala, a father of two young children who is running for the first time, says he and others are excited about the possibility of a market within walking distance. Local businessman Jim Mondanaro has expressed interest in opening up a location similar to downtown Iowa City’s Bread Garden in One University Place.

“I would be one of those people who would say a mixed commercial property would be ideal for us so that the young community, young families, can walk here and have that little corner store,” Nampala, a Kenya native, said at a candidate’s forum earlier this month. “I just imagine those small towns where I come from where we have a store in the corner, and everybody walks there in the evening.”

Virginia Miller, who is challenging for a council seat, also has vowed to bring a voice for younger families to the council and is stressing the importance of including a public space in the developer’s plans, be it a park or a community center.

“To me, St. Andrew functioned as a public space for our community where we’ve had our picnics, farmers markets and community meetings for a long time, so I think it’s important for us to retain that public space in our community rather than losing it to strictly residential development,” Miller said.

Silvia Quezada, who is making her first bid for the council, backs the developer’s “five-and-three” vision for One University Place. She said there are concerns that still need to be worked out, “but nothing that a city council couldn’t overcome and work together to close a chapter on a very long journey.”

“I think the vision is coming from the residents; the vision is not being driven by the developer,” Quezada said. “The developer is proposing an idea, and folks are improving on that idea. People are seeing an opportunity for adding more convenience to the quality of life in University Heights.”

Mayor Louise From, who served a dozen years on the council beginning in 1994 before taking over as mayor in 2006, also is up for re-election. Though she is running uncontested for the non-voting mayor’s seat, From said she doesn’t want to take residents’ support for granted.
“I’ve always tried to tackle the issues with honesty and respect for all,” From said.

Candidate Forum Webcast Available

For anyone who was unable to attend the City Council Candidate Forum on Monday night, here is a link to the webstream of the entire event:

University Heights Candidate Forum

More Press Coverage Than You Can Shake a Stick At!

I don't know if there has EVER been a day with TWO feature stories about University Heights in the Press Citizen.

The inside story was on Monday night's candidate's forum:

Development divides hopefuls

U. Heights council candidates talk plans for St. Andrew Church land

University Heights City Council candidates delivered their ideas for the town’s hottest issue at a forum on Monday night.
St. Andrew Church, 1300 Melrose Ave., plans to relocate, leaving city officials with a choice about what to do with one of the most accessible parcels in University Heights. Nine candidates in the race — four incumbents and five challengers — spoke to about 50 residents at Monday’s forum, which took place at St. Andrew Church.
READ FULL STORY HERE

The Front Page Headline was:

Mondanaro interested in U. Heights development

Says he hopes to open something similar to his Bread Garden Market

 

What One University Place will look like if and when it’s built is unclear, but the controversial development along Melrose Avenue has drawn the interest of at least one potential commercial occupant.

Local restaurateur Jim Mondanaro, who owns the Bread Garden Market in downtown Iowa City, says he hopes to open a similar business as part of the University Heights project, which has been debated among residents and the University Heights City Council for nearly five years.
READ FULL STORY HERE

Candidate Forum 2013

We had a very successful candidate forum last night at the St. Andrew Church Fellowship Hall. I'm grateful to forum organizers Paul DeYoung and Pat Yeggy for their hard work in getting the event scheduled and put together so well.  The was a good crowd of probably 50 people there.

Below are my answers to the four questions that we were given ahead of time. With time limits for each question, I try to script out a concise answer. Somehow I still seem to make changes as I speak so what's below likely wasn't exactly what I said last night, but close.

1. For several years, the citizens of University Heights have considered development of the St. Andrew church site.  In your view, independent of the proposed development, what do you think is the ideal use of the St. Andrew church site and why?  Does the increasing number of young families with children in University Heights or the changing demographics of University Heights impact your view of how the St. Andrew church site should be developed?  (2 minutes)

This question has two separate parts, location and population. I’d like to examine each.  First, location: A nearly 5 acre parcel on the intersection of our only two arterial streets is the best place for a slightly denser mixed commercial and residential development. There is not another intersection in town with this combination of space and easy access.

Now population: We are the oldest average aged town in the county, but in 2000 our average age was 36 years old. According to the 2010 census our average age has dropped to just over 30. Many of the young families now moving into town can be referred to as Millennials, people born between 1983 and 2000, they are already the largest generation in the United States and their desires will play a crucial role in determining future housing and infrastructure needs.

Iowa PIRG’s report, A New Direction, shows that young people age 16 to 34 drove 23 percent fewer miles on average in 2009 than they did in 2001. Millennials are more likely to want to live in urban and walkable neighborhoods, they want to reduce travel time and are more open to non-driving forms of transportation. The single answer as to why this is happening?  Smartphones! Millennials are looking for transportation options that allow them to stay connected while traveling. A recent study cited by EfficientGov.com showed that residents are willing to pay 12.5% more for housing with walkable amenities.

A slightly denser, mixed use development makes sense from both a location and population standpoint. It makes sense that it will improve the quality of our entire town. Without significant commercial or public space we have no place to easily congregate and become a true community. In the absence of an identified sense of University Heights “SELF” we are basically just another Iowa City neighborhood. I will consider the financial benefits of development here in question three.