A Discussion of University Heights' Future

The City Council will be holding a work session at 7 pm on Tuesday, June 25, in the Iowa Room at the University Club to discuss where we would like to see the Community of University Heights move in the next 5-10 years and discuss the challenges ahead of us. This is especially timely as we begin to look at the development of the St. Andrews Property. I have posed some questions(shown below) to fellow councilors that will be part of the basis for our discussions at the work session. I expect additional questions will be brought by other councilors. Here is my list of issues to discuss:

1. Now that the church is moving, what is your vision for the development of the St. Andrew property to best meet the needs of our residents?
2. What plans should we make to provide a community meeting place with the potential loss of St. Andrew Church and the University Club in the next 3-7 years?
3. What level of commercial development, if any, are we willing to accept on the St.Andrew property?
4. Are we willing to give up control of the St. Andrew property and the potential to expand our tax base by 30-40% to an outside body, such as the University of Iowa?
5. What kinds of services do we want to provide our residents in the future in terms of community events (kids’ holiday parties, farmer’s market, community picnic) and potential meeting places for community groups?

The public is invited to attend this work session though public input at the meeting will be limited. I would encourage each of you to provide input to the councilors on these questions and other ideas prior to the meeting.

-Jim Lane