Upscale Downtown: If You've Got a Niche, Scratch It

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.

Come to Iowa City Downtown Futurama Tonight

Iowa City Press Release

With new housing, new businesses, new restaurants and continued new development becoming an integral part of the face of Downtown Iowa City, it’s clear that this area is undergoing significant change. Now, the City’s Economic Development Committee is asking for opinions and input from residents to help shape the future of Downtown.

A community meeting is scheduled [TONIGHT!] Tuesday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library. The public is invited and encouraged to attend to provide input and opinions on the type of downtown they’d like to see in the future.

The meeting will be led by Marketek, a consulting company that the City of Iowa City, the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Association of Iowa City are working with to collect market data and to develop a business plan for the Downtown area. Along with the public community meeting on Tuesday, Marketek will host focus group meetings and will also conduct two surveys – one for consumers and one for business owners – that ask questions about Iowa City shopping needs, how people use Downtown, and what shoppers want to see in the future.

The surveys will be available on-line beginning May 29 at www.icgov.org/downtownsurveys on the City’s website. Printed copies will be available at the Iowa City Public Library Information Desk, and the Planning and Community Development Office at City Hall. Residents with an interest in the future of Downtown are urged to complete one of the surveys, which are due by July 9.

Wendy Ford, Iowa City Economic Development Coordinator, commented, “Iowa City’s Downtown is in the midst of some big changes with more on the horizon. Input from people who use Downtown or those who might use it will be invaluable as the community works to enhance Downtown as Iowa City’s vibrant core.”

Iowa City Downtown Businesses Seeks Outside Help

The Downtown Business Association, the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa City council are commissioning a $62,500 market study to help them understand the changing needs of Downtown. Marketek, a small Atlanta-based urban planning research firm, has been hired to survey businesses and shoppers. Marketek worked with the small community of Altantic, Iowa and 300 other communities to improve the business climate.

According to the Press-Citizen , " We want hard data to guide us in decision making for the continued positive development of downtown Iowa City,” Ford said. She said downtown hasn’t been surveyed since probably in the 1970s.Along with surveys, Marketek will lead seven focus group discussions planned for May 29-30. A community meeting, open to anyone, will also be held May 29 or May 30; Ford said the date has yet to be confirmed. Invitations are being sent to seven different segments of the community to participate in the focus group discussions. Business owners, property owners, economic development leaders, the creative sector, University of Iowa officials, and people in tourism and entertainment will meet separately to talk about downtown.“What we want to do is to get all of these different perspective of downtown,” Ford said. “This is probably where it will come out the most - downtown’s most pressing issues.”

Interestingly, there is no mention of focus groups with people who live in downtown (or would like to, if it were affordable) or those who shop there. Also, there is no mention of discussions with environmental groups or activists working for sustainable growth in communities.