U-Heights in the News

I don't know if you saw the story in the Des Moines Sunday Register today (8/30/15) but we got a mention in a front page story (albeit on page 10 in the continuation).

Iowa, Des Moines Falling Behind Bike Friendlier U.S.

The story went on to talk about the League of American Cyclists' designation of cities bike friendliness on a descending level from Platinum, Silver and Bronze. The gist of the story was that Des Moines was a bronze level city in major part due to their not doing more to encourage bike commuting. They specifically talk about not having bike lanes as well as no city staff dedicated to bike issues. 

What struck me was the listing of Iowa cities who are recognized, I didn't realize there are only 5 communities in Iowa that have been recognized: Iowa City, silver; Cedar Falls, Bronze; Cedar Rapids, Bronze; Des Moines, Bronze; University Heights, Bronze.

We are the smallest population community in the nation recognized by the League! 

Here is the full list of recognized cities.

In discussing what it would take to move Des Moines to Silver it was mentioned one major factor was that only .2% (two-tenths of 1 per cent) of workers in Des Moines bike commute. Most Silver level cities have at least a 3.5% bike commuters. We in U-Heights have 15% bike commuting workers, and that does NOT count full-time students. We also have 28% workers walking.

If we as a community were to explore some relatively simple things to improve bike facilities in town:

Covered bike parking at One University Place

Melrose Ave. bike lanes

Bike Boulevards on Koser or Grand Avenes

We could easily move to Silver, Gold or even Platinum levels, depending on what we implement. Especially since that we have some of the very highest bike commuter levels in the nation. I think this should be something to seriously consider.

Private Lives

If you're around town this weekend or next I would highly recommend Fourth Room Theatre's performances of Noel Coward's Private Lives.

This is the third summer that Fourth Room has offered free classical theater in University Heights. The setting for the show is Dr. Flaum's spacious yard at 901 Melrose Ave.

Here is the write up from Fourth Room's Facebook page:



The 1930's comedy explores the love lives of divorced couple, Elyot and Amanda, who are shocked to run into each other while honeymooning at the same hotel in France with their respective new spouses. Their feelings for one another are rekindled, setting in motion the same cycle of love and violence that plagued their initial marriage.

Coward’s play, written in just four days when he was only 30 years old, is a perennial favorite. Coward himself starred as Elyot when the play first premiered. The show’s popularity was immediate and hasn’t waned since. It was adapted for film in 1931 and has had several radio and television productions since then, as well as numerous award-winning London and Broadway stagings.

Fourth Room will present PRIVATE LIVES at the same beautiful outdoor location as previous summers, 901 Melrose Ave, Iowa City. Limited parking is available on the grounds, with additional spots across the street at Kinnick Stadium.

PERFORMANCES:
Thursday, August 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 20 – 7:00 p.m.
NO FRIDAY PERFORMANCE
Saturday, August 22 – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 23rd is reserved as a potential rain date. Please check this event, our Facebook page, or our website for weather-related updates!

Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs and picnics to enjoy the evening.

This production is FREE to the public. If you would like to donate to our Free Outdoor Classics initiative, visit our website for PayPal or mail options.
http://fourthroomtheatre.com/donation/

No reservations needed.

One University Place Approvals

At our City Council meeting tonight Council voted 4-1 (Quezada voting "no")  to approve the TIF Development Agreement which essentially approves the One University Place project. While this is nearly the culmination of 7 years work on planning this project, it is truly the beginning of the project itself. 

Unlike most times, tonight I had a prepared statement to make regarding the vote. However the way our discussion went, I never had a chance to deliver it. So here are my thoughts on why I voted to approve the TIF :

As I consider tonight’s vote I want to reflect the journey that has gotten us here. When I was first elected in 2009, my hope was the U-Heights would be a financially secure community that maintained its high quality of life. Approving this project, and the TIF that will make it happen is a major step toward realizing that goal.

What I think is important to remember here is that the City is not a part of the purchase process for this property. This development is located on private land owned by St. Andrew Church. Unlike River Landing in Coralville, or Plaza Towers in downtown Iowa City, we as a City do not own this site, we could not solicit bids and choose a developer from among competing projects.

Despite this, the residents of this community have molded this project over the past 7 years and their ideas have resulted in improvements and enhanced amenities. We will have commercial enterprises that will add to our community. We will have a community center, at an attractive price, where we can gather and celebrate. There will be playground space and attractive outdoor facilities. The ravine east of the project will be preserved in its current state. We will have an improved arterial intersection with better traffic flow than we have currently. Those traffic improvements will be paid by the project itself.

I don’t think anyone on council believes that Tax Increment Financing is to be given away lightly or surreptitiously. We have received advice from the National Development Council as to the need and amount of gap financing. Without a TIF, this project does not proceed.  While a gap of $4 million dollars, which results over time in a $6.7 million rebate payout is certainly not small, it is a reasonable amount, and the city will be able to repay without putting the city or its residents at a financial risk.

This TIF we are considering complies with the guidelines set forth by Peter Fisher of the Iowa Policy Institute for responsible use. Only taxes collected on property in this development will be used to rebate costs. Dr. Fisher advised not including the cost of a community center in the TIF because we shouldn’t TIF for non-tax generating space. We are following that recommendation.

Because I certainly know that tonight’s vote is not the end but the beginning of the next chapter in the future of U-Heights, and I know that approving this project will make us a financially secure community that maintains its high quality of life  I will be voting yes.

Here is the link to more information about the project. 

One University Place Information