City Council Priorities Quarterly Report
City Council Priorities
The Cedar Rapids City Council meets annually to establish goals for the City’s overall direction. City staff track progress in the resulting key priority areas listed below on pages 4–11. The following report provides public transparency with an emphasis on communication; ensures alignment with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Envision CR; and assists in the effective prioritization of resources.
OCT–DEC 2024
Flood Control System
Arc of Justice Bridge Grant
We received our third grant award for the Arc of Justice Bridge, which will replace the existing 8th Avenue Bridge over the Cedar River. The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Bridge Improvement Program (BIP) Grant amount is $6 million, bringing the total of Federal grants for the project to $63.4 million. The project previously earned USDOT PROTECT Grant funding in April 2024 and Iowa Department of Transportation Bridge funding for $1 million in 2022.
To be constructed above the 2008 Flood level, this project will play a crucial role in the Flood Control System. It will keep the roadway open during floods up to the 500-year level, ensuring critical access for emergency services, flood system maintenance, transit, and downtown connectivity. As a key economic lifeline, it would remain operational while seven other Cedar River bridges would need to close during flood events.
8th Avenue Bridge Environmental Clearance
To successfully meet requirements to use Federal funding for the 8th Avenue Bridge, one of the most critical next steps is to update environmental clearance approvals under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers originally cleared the site in 2019; now, to use new USDOT grant funds, the document needs updates for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements.
When we began our work to make these updates in early 2024, Iowa DOT estimated the process would take up to 36 months. The design team has worked diligently and creatively with Iowa DOT and FHWA Iowa to condense this work effort, with clearance now expected in Summer 2025. This would meet funding obligation requirements more than a year ahead of the deadline.
Cedar Crossing Casino Site Coordination
Staff made significant progress on plans to integrate the potential casino with the Flood Control System. This includes stormwater conveyance through the site to a future pump station and the coordination of improvements alongside the casino’s construction with a new roadway to serve the site. We formalized these plans in our Development Agreement with the Cedar Crossing Casino developers.
Staff began work on a USDOT RAISE grant application for the segment of the Flood Control System that would adjoin the casino. The application included Capital Funds requested in the FY26 Budget for a levee at F Avenue NW and the raising of F Avenue up and over the levee. Similar to our coordination with the First & First West development, our goal would be for the construction of the adjoining system and roadway needs to be complete at the time of the casino opening.
Cedar Lake Levee Reaches Full Height, Tree of Five Seasons “Transplanted”
After more than three years and over $22 million, the Cedar Lake Levee is substantially complete. Contractors will complete final seeding this spring. At the time of contracting, this was the largest single FCS construction contract to date. That record now stands with the $30 million contract for Downtown projects which include flood gates under construction beneath I-380 at E Avenue/F Avenue, a pump station, flood wall at the Tree of Five Seasons, and a flood gate at 2nd Avenue SE. Both projects emphasize the importance of the system blending into our community’s background. The Cedar Lake Levee enhances the lake atmosphere by separating it from the adjacent railyard, making the fishing and trails amenities prominent. The Tree of Five Seasons monument was “transplanted” away from the flood wall and raised so it would remain the site’s focal point, rather than the flood wall.
Quaker Oats Flood Miter Gate Successfully Tested
We successfully trained on and tested the closure of the Flood Miter Gate at Quaker Oats in October. Coordination of this test took several months as part of our continued partnership with Quaker Oats and the Union Pacific RR, as it is a key railroad requiring careful planning of service outages. Additional coordination and participation from Quaker Oats’ insurance company was also key to ensuring the Quaker site remains a viable business and employment site for years. We expect to perform this test each year.
Multi-Department Cleanup
The Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Utilities Departments partnered to mow and clean up Time Check Park and greenway areas used to process organic Derecho debris. The multi-week effort removed final debris that lingered in the area while staff worked through FEMA processes.
Cedar Lake Levee
Housing Options & Affordability
First ROOTs Home Closings
Construction of the first two ROOTs program houses completed with the homes selling to households this quarter. We created the ROOTs program, which stands for Rebuilding Ownership Opportunities Together, after the 2008 Flood. We brought the program back with funding received after the 2020 Derecho. A total of 76 homes will be built for sale to low- to moderate-income households at a sales price of $175 thousand with up to $35 thousand in downpayment assistance. To find out more, visit CityofCR.com/ROOTs
City Earns HUD’s High-Performer Rating
The Community Development & Planning Department’s Housing Division received the High-Performer rating from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its administration of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The HCV program serves approximately 1,100 low-income households with rental assistance totaling nearly $7 million annually.
Strengthen & Stabilize Neighborhoods
Community Services Division & SAFE-CR Partner Up
Police Department Captain Charlie Fields and public safety program manager Annette Lorenz joined a collaborative meeting with Foundation 2. Titled, “Community Conversation,” the event addressed youth violence in our schools and community. Parents and youth attended the program and heard from the Stand Up for Peace group, Cedar Rapids Police Department, SAFE-CR, the Assistant United States Attorney, and Juvenile Detention Center staff. Foundation 2 offered services and resources at the event.
SPARC Program Dispositions
The City awarded its first properties acquired through the Saving Properties and Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program to Hope Community Development Association and Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity for redevelopment into affordable housing. The SPARC program, adopted by City Council in 2023, acquires abandoned or vacant tax-delinquent properties negatively impacting neighborhoods and sells them for redevelopment.
Street Projects
First Avenue East Micro-Area Action Plan Open House
We held a public open house for the First Avenue East Micro-Area Action Plan (1st Ave E MAAP) in December. Staff presented draft goals and action steps built from the input of more than 100 stakeholders, including residents, business owners, and college students and faculty. The open house gave the public an opportunity to identify the goals and action steps of their highest interest. Two action steps gathered the most interest, with nearly 20% each:
` Support Opportunities for Retail and Restaurants: Establish a working group to identify remaining or additional barriers and recommended new ways to recruit and retain businesses.
` Create a Foundation for Future Area Success: Consider options for enhancing existing and developing new programs to assist area businesses with area specific challenges. Consideration and approval of the plan will advance to City Council in early 2025.
Mount Vernon Road SE from 14th–20th Street
This two-year project, along Mount Vernon Road SE, is now complete and open to traffic. The project greatly improved pedestrian access, solved maintenance problems, and improved traffic safety through one of our busiest corridors.
Tower Terrace Road NE Extension
This project, from C Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids to Alburnett Road in Marion , is open. While some minor work items remain in Spring 2025, the roadway is being used and already saving residents valuable time on their daily commutes. Watch a drone flyover video of the project under construction at CityofCR.com/TowerTerraceDroneVideo
Quiet Zone Improvements
We awarded a construction contract for the Stickle Drive NE at 4th Street East Central Quiet Zone Improvements project. This is the final City paving project for railroad-grade crossings in the portion of the 4th Street corridor between Stickle Drive NE and 5th Avenue SE. This Downtown Quiet Zone should be ready for activation in Fall 2025, following the City’s paving project and the railroad’s project to install new crossing signals and gates.
Releaf & forestry updates
Grant Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program. Removed stumps and planted trees along City streets in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Volunteers plant trees at Tuma Sports Complex | 10/25/24
250 trees planted at new, single family homes
30 trees saved by being moved rather than destroyed
955 stumps removed with sites reseeded, mulched, & restored
New $3.5 MILLION GRANT removes STUMPS & PLANTS 5K TREES
releaf tree pruning begins Forestry staff started the first cycle of pruning young trees planted in the first year of ReLeaf.
4,615 trees planted as part of the releaf program in 2024
11,407 trees planted since the 2020 derecho 27% completion 10-yr. releaf plan, 2.5 yrs. post-launch
Photo credit: Trees Forever
Recreational & Cultural Amenities
Trail Projects
Edgewood Trail
Phase 2B of the Edgewood Trail project is substantially complete. This project included modifications of the Edgewood Road bridge over the Cedar River and trail extensions, improving trail access across the river.
Alliant Energy LightLine™
We awarded the construction contract for the Alliant Energy LightLine™ signature pedestrian and bicycle bridge. As part of the nationwide American Discovery Trail and Great American Rail-Trail systems, the bridge will connect New Bohemia and Czech Village across the Cedar River. Construction will begin this spring and should finish in Summer 2026. This project joins improvements at Cedar Lake in comprising ConnectCR.
8th Avenue Bridge Mural Project
The mural along the Cedar River Trail, under the 8th Avenue Bridge, sustained graffiti damage in the beginning of 2024. To provide interim beautification until the bridge is replaced, a new mural using upcycled paint was installed through a partnership between the City, the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy (EIAA), and the Cedar Rapids-Linn County Solid Waste Agency.
Community Gardens in Parks Plan Earns Award
The American Planning Association (APA) Iowa Chapter recognized our Community Gardens in Parks Plan with the Resilience & Sustainability Award at their 2024 Planning Conference. The award celebrates strategies that create more sustainable communities and/or increase the ability of communities to recover from, and adapt to, shocks and stresses, resulting in communities that are stronger, more equitable, and better prepared for the future. Development of the plan was a collaboration between the City Manager’s Office and the Parks & Recreation and Community Development & Planning Departments.
December Events
Greene Square Tree Lighting
More than 500 residents attended our free, familyfriendly, annual tree lighting in Greene Square held at the beginning of December. The event included fun activities, photo opportunities, and holiday treats.
Noelridge Lights & Blooms
We hosted the annual, two-day Noelridge Lights and Blooms Event at the Noelridge Greenhouse in early December. Nearly 1,200 people attended, donating 820 pounds of food and more than $600 in cash to the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP).
Santa at Ellis
Santa Claus visited our Ellis Event Center, so we invited both the public and City employees to take photos with him while enjoying cookies, hot chocolate, crafts, games, and cookie decorating. The Parks & Recreation Department received great feedback in hopes of hosting this event again next year.
Five Seasons Lights at McGrath Amphitheatre
The McGrath Amphitheatre held the popular annual Five Seasons Lights event again this year, with light shows running daily throughout most of December, from 4:30–9 p.m.
2025 Golf Season Passes
We are off to a strong start selling 2025 Golf Season Passes. From November–December, we sold 22 passes totaling nearly $16 thousand in revenue.
Alliant Energy LightLine™
8th Avenue Bridge Mural
Homelessness
Landlord and Tenant Success Initiative
Along with our Alliance for Equitable Housing (AEH) partners, we launched the Landlord and Tenant Success initiative this quarter. This effort aims to address homelessness by providing incentives to landlords and tenants to stably house those facing barriers to housing. Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust provided partial funding to the AEH, with the pilot anticipated to assist approximately 30 individuals. The Housing Fund for Linn County will provide program oversight. The City is a founding AEH member.
Clean & Safe City
ATE Permit Decision, Appeal
At the end of Q1, we received the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT)’s decision on our permit application for use of Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) systems at five intersections and four locations on I-380. IDOT approved two ATE locations on I-380, another at one intersection, and another at one mobile system location:
` Fixed: I-380 at J Avenue NE (Southbound)
` Fixed: I-380 at Diagonal Drive (Northbound)
` Fixed: Williams Boulevard SW at 16th Avenue (Northbound & Southbound)
` Mobile: 300 Block of 29th Street Drive SE (Eastbound & Westbound)
We submitted our appeal in October, providing additional information, data, and an explanation further detailing how the I-380 ATE system is the appropriate, necessary, and least-restrictive means to address critical traffic-safety issues on the S-Curve.
Infrastructure
3rd Avenue SE at 10th Street
We awarded contract for the 3rd Avenue SE at 10th Street Intersection Improvements project.
Edgewood Road Transit Stops & Sidewalk Project
We completed the Edgewood Road Transit Stops and Sidewalk project, filling gaps where sidewalk did not exist and adding ADA bus access along Edgewood Road. The project will promote safe travel for both pedestrians and public transit users.
Traffic Signal Improvements
` High Visibility Backplates Installed
At the recommendation of a 2013 Operations and Safety Study for the I-380 and Highway 100 tri-level intersection ramps, we installed high-visibility backplates on all traffic signals approaching the interchange. The Iowa Department of Transportation completed the study and identified this measure as an opportunity to improve driver awareness at the signalized intersections.
` Thru Arrows Added
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is continuing efforts to prevent wrong-way driving on highways. Following their recommendations, we installed thru arrows to indicate the proper orientation of traffic on signals near several I-380 ramps:
` Completed
1st Avenue West at L Street & I-380 Off-ramp
1st Avenue West at 3rd Street & I-380 On-ramp
Blairs Ferry Road NE & I-380 On- and Off-ramps
` Future
Diagonal Drive SW & I-380 (to occur in conjunction with a future 3rd Street SW Paving for Progress project)
City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge
The City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge prioritizes a clean and safe city by encouraging residents to actively participate in wastereduction efforts. In Q2, the initiative successfully collected 2,100 bags, bringing the FY25 total to 4,825 bags of litter collected thus far. These efforts demonstrate our community’s engagement and commitment to environmental stewardship. The Challenge emphasizes the critical nature of continued participation in maintaining a sustainable and healthy urban environment.
Water & Wastewater Treatment
Safe Drinking Water
The Water Division achieved 100% compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements for FY25 Quarters 1 and 2. The City’s last SDWA violation was 7 years ago, in September 2017, for a monitoring violation which did not indicate any water-quality issues.
WPC Contract 2 Improvements Begin
Construction began on the $348 million Water Pollution Control Facility Contract 2 improvement projects. Projects includes new aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology, digesters, and biogas facilities to enhance environmental stewardship, process efficiency, and replace aging components of the 40+ year-old facility. We expect completion by Spring 2029.
Lead & Copper Service Line Inventory
We submitted our Lead and Copper Service-Line Inventory to the EPA ahead of their mandated deadline. Our inventory identified approximately 8,500 lead and unknown-material service lines within our water system. We sent a letter to each property identifying concerns related to lead pipes and mitigation strategies our Water Division has implemented for more than 30 years.
J Avenue Water Treatment Plant Improvements Continue
Restoration progress continued on the final four solids-contact unit basins at the J Avenue Water Treatment Plant. Work includes draining basins, repairing concrete, and replacing equipment that has been in use for several decades at the 90+ year-old facility.
NW Water Treatment Plant Improvements Continue
The addition of a third softener basin at the NW Water Treatment Plant is nearing final completion. This upgrade preserves capacity during renovations to extend the life of existing softeners and positions the plant for future capacity growth. We also rebuilt the plant’s generator to ensure uninterrupted treatment processes and protect equipment from sudden power losses, a key function highlighted during the 2020 Derecho.
Business Friendly
Construction Complete on 16th Avenue SE
The full reconstruction of 16th Avenue SE, from 2nd–4th Street, finished ahead of schedule. The project improved walkability, ADA access, and will ensure a long service life for the previously deteriorating roadway, minimizing future disruptions. Staff worked closely with New Bohemia and Czech Village businesses before and throughout construction, introducing the City’s Roadwork Resilience Toolkit to help impacted businesses access resources and plan for impacts. The City also supported the concurrent Czech Village-New Bohemia SSMID’s Cone Zone Cash program.
Utilities Department Outreach
The Utilities Department strengthened relationships with the communities it serves through several initiatives. In Q2, staff continued to provide regular updates to large industries on facility progress, challenges, and growth strategies; hosted Linn Coop partners for plant tours; and took part in five outreach events to promote careers in water and wastewater management, helping build a talent pipeline for these vital industries.
Economic Development Updates
Program Impacts
In 2024, City-funded economic development partners reported the following impacts:
` 75 jobs created
` 761 jobs retained
` 18 new ventures assisted
` 117 individuals assisted in accessing career-pathway education
Southwest Growth Area
Work continued to facilitate future growth at the Big Cedar Industrial Park and CID SuperPark, including ongoing coordination with Google and other area developers. With primary funding through an Alliant Energy grant, we bid a sewer-extension project to serve both parks. Our readiness to provide sanitary- and potable-water service has made Cedar Rapids a top choice for businesses looking to establish new facilities and invest in our community.
Business Outreach & Education
Q2 Existing Industry Program
After conducting the nine Business Retention & Expansion calls listed below, staff provided technical assistance to seven of the companies, achieving a 78% follow-up rate:
` 10/23 | General Mills
` 10/24 | Braun Intertec
` 10/29 | Cobra Metals
` 10/29 | AmTek
` 10/30 | IFP
` 11/22 | Cargill Soybean
` 12/3 | West Side Transport
` 12/3 | Ruffalo Noel Levitz
` 12/11 | KT Pacer
Retail Attraction
We continued our work with The Retail Coach to actively market Cedar Rapids to national retailers, including the following successes this Quarter:
` Michaels @ Westdale Town Center
` Ulta Beauty @ Westdale Town Center
` Insomnia Cookies @ Kingston Yard
Partnerships & Grant Administration
City-Iowa State University Partnership Partnership meetings focused on enhancing connections between Cedar Rapids industries and the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Science talent pipeline:
` The partnership awarded 60 Dolezal scholarships to Cedar Rapids students in the College of Agriculture and Life Science, representing $330,000 in student assistance.
` The relaunched program engaged 11 businesses and more than 700 students in its first six months.
Cedar Rapids College Career Connection
The Cedar Rapids College Career Connection (CRCCC) program disbursed $902,955 to 441 students through the end of CY24.
16th Avenue SE Construction