As reported in the Gazette, "Adding more housing was the most frequently mentioned ``big idea'' at a public meeting tonight on the downtown area's future.``I think the future of downtown rests with the development of more housing for non-students,'' said Marc Moen, who as the developer of the 14-story Plaza Towers and another possible downtown high rise, likely will play a big part in the effort."
What the report failed to mention was that people also mentioned they wanted affordable housing downtown, because it is "expensive" to live there. Marketek, the firm hired to do the analysis has experience with towns like Oskalossa and Atlantic, but it is clear that they were there to come up with an economic resurgance plan that was not about a diverse downtown, at least not economically based on this crowd's reactions.
Interestingly, when asked what defined Downtown Iowa City, there is no consensus of opinion, but it was defined by one person as Gilbert St. to Clinton St., Burlington St. to Iowa Ave. Given the movement across Burlington St., it would seem that the definition will need to change--at least in the future.
Faces in the less than huge crowd included Council members Bob Elliott, Regenia Bailey (and her partner Jay Berry), business people Jim Mondonaro, the aforementioned Marc Moen and partner Bobby Jett, the Chamber's Nancy Quelhorst, and members of the Downtown Business Association. Also there was soon to be announcing at-large candidate Mike Wright, law professor Nick Johnson, and several members of the elder community. Curiously absent were the younger adult members of our community.
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