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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-02 Correspondencetr 'cmgz�l CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Grant Gibney: Management Project Item Number: 8.a. Kellie Fruehling From: Gibney, Grant J <grant-gibney@uiowa.edu> Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2018 3:59 PM To: Council Subject: Management Project Good Afternoon, My name is Grant Gibney and I am a student at the University of Iowa. I am working on a project for my management class and was hoping you would be able to shed some light onto a few of my questions. The project I am working on is in relationship to private companies making employment decisions and the influences of local officials. What are the concerns of local officials who have sought to keep companies from firing employees? How do local officials try and influence companies to avoid layoffs? If you could answer these questions for me or perhaps point me in the right direction that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Grant Gibney Item Number: 8.b. tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Kade Schemahorn: Improvements to Bus System [Staff response included] Kellie Fruehling From: Darian Nagle -Gamin Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 1:30 PM To: citizenkade@gmail.com Cc: Council Subject: RE: Improvements to Bus System Hello Mr. Schemahorn, Thank you for taking the time to reach out regarding the upcoming transit study. We are looking forward to having the transit system comprehensively reviewed, highlighting ways we can improve service. To your first and second points, while we strive to be on-time with every trip, we have had some significant challenges during the recent months due to road construction. This unfortunately has also impacted expected arrival times in the BONGO app. The predicted arrival times are averaged based off recent history and because our arrival times on impacted routes have not been consistent, at times our predicted arrival times have been off. As construction projects begin to wrap up, we expect delays to be reduced and improved accuracy with our predicted arrival times. In the meantime, a good best practice is to view your selected bus route in the BONGO app —this will indicate the octuol bus location on that particular route and not an estimate of where the bus should be. To your last point, I am happy to announce that our route/transit stop data has just published on Google Transit. This means that you can now choose two locations in Google Maps, click the transit icon, and Google will provide several different transit route options between the locations. This is a feature that our BONGO app does not currently support. We are very happy to have this feature available in the widely used and accessible Google Maps platform. Thanks again for reaching out with your comments. As the transit study progresses there will be multiple opportunities for public input — I encourage you to stay tuned and provide feedback early and often. ®1VWAa T i A YNrrtO [ITf OF [tTrRATYlf WW &WICGOVOR VG 000 Darian L. Nagle-Gamm Director of Transportation Services 1319-356-5156 1200 S. Riverside Drive 1 335 Iowa Avenue Iowa City, IA 52240 darian-nagle-gamin@iowa-city ,org From: Kade Schemahorn [mailto:citizenkade@gmail.comj Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 5:06 PM To: Council <Council iowa-citv.ora> Subject: Improvements to Bus System Dear members of the Iowa City Council, I read in some ICC documentation online that the city is doing some evaluation of the public transit system. That's great. I would like to suggest that some fairly straightforward and simple improvements to the existing bus system could actually go a long way. Problems: Buses are too frequently late, in excess of 10 or 20 minutes. The obvious solution would be to increase punctuality of the buses, though this may be easier said than done with existing resources and processes. Status information (time to next bus for a particular stop) is often inaccurate or unavailable. Increasing accuracy and availability of this data may help address the negative impact of late buses even without changing their punctuality. The Bongo app is poorly designed to answer a rider's questions effectively. I have written detailed explanations in the past of this particular problem with simple suggestions for updating the app to the support email address associated with the Bongo app and have not received a response. As far as I can tell, the app has not received an update in years. I can provide these suggestions to the Council if helpful. An alternative solution would be to abandon the Bongo app in favor of publishing the city's transit data to Google (supposedly free), allowing riders to use the Google Maps app to access info about stop locations, routes, and wait times. outcomes of problems: 1. Riders feel anxious while waiting, not knowing if the bus will arrive at all. 2. Riders are late to class, doctor's appointments, job interviews, etc. 3. Riders begin to feel that they cannot rely on the bus, reducing ridership and revenue. Thank you for your consideration and for addressing the issues around transportation access and quality in and around Iowa City. -Kade Schemahorn tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Lula Palmer: Minimum Wage Item Number: 8.c. Kellie Fruehlin From: Lula Palmer <lula@brentopalmer.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 5:20 PM To: Council Subject: Minimum wage Vde are in favor of a $15 minimum wage payment to all et, employee Sent from the Palmers tr 'cmgz�l CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 8.d. Description James White, Sr.: The proposed "tunnel' to drain "run off' water north of Foster Road Kellie Fruehling From: JJWHITE <jjwhite499@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2018 3:13 PM To: Council Subject: Fw: RE: The proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off' water north of Foster Road Dear Council: I write in opposition to another proposal to fix the Idyllwild problem. In my opinion there are better and safer means to solve some of these problems without destroying the property of residents on Taft Speedway. [A street that has not been paved in years. A street without curb and gutter or a storm water drainage system (which we pay monthly for yet do not have). A street with 8 homes on it --some since the early 1900's. Some, like mine, with an annual property tax of $5,442.00 --and rising.] Please read my attached correspondence on this topic. Thank You. James J. White, Sr. 121 Taft Speedway Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 319-321-1643 ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: JJWHITE<jjwhite499@yahoo.corn> To: Jason Reichart <jason-reichart@iowa-city.org> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2018 2:01 PM Subject: Fw: RE: The proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off' water north of Foster Road Jason, I have written to you before with my thoughts on this topic. These are still my thoughts and concerns on this topic and thought the matter was put to rest long ago --especially after the council and former City Manager proposed raising Foster Road. By its very nature and title ("Idyllwild Stormwater Drainage Diversion Project") this is really a project for a PRIVATE development. Once again we are compounding a problem that was created when this development was allowed to happen in 1992. Should the taxpayers of Iowa City be constantly responsible for "fixing" this mistake and the mistakes made in the planning and construction of this development? Should the current City Council become part and parcel of this mistake all over again? Does the current City Council accept the "last minute, pie in the sky" attempt by a previous City Council to "save face?" Before a lot of time and money is spent by you and outside consultants to plot and plan this "Diversion" (pun intended) project, maybe the Current City Council should approve and "buy into" this project. Jim White, Sr. 121 Taft Speedway St Iowa City, Iowa 52245 319-321-1643 — On Fri, 12/7/12, Rick Fosse <Rkk-Fosse@iowa-citv.ora> wrote: From: Rick Fosse <Rick- Fosse @iowa-citv.ore> Subject: RE: The proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off" water north of Foster Road To: "'1JWHITE"' <liwhite499@Vahoo.com> 2 Cc: "Ron Knoche" <Ron-Knoche@iowa-city.ora>, "Jason Reichart" Jason-Reichart(diowa-citv.ore>, "Melissa Clow" <Me I issa-Clow(@ Iowa-city.ore> Date: Friday, December 7, 2012, 2:19 PM Thanks for your e-mail. We are just beginning to evaluate options and considerations. I am sharing your comments with the engineers involved. Thanks, Rick From: JJWHITE [mailto:jjwhite499@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 11:33 AM To: Rick Fosse Subject: The proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off" water north of Foster Road Rick, Regarding the proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off" water north of Foster Road: I would first like to see the City engineers and consultants take a hard look at increasing the size of existing culverts/tubes/pipes that cross under Foster Road near the No Name Road intersection. Also, IF it is determined that the outlet pipe/tunnel from the two Idyllwild holding ponds to the Iowa River (through the former Miller property) is too small then increase the size of the outlet pipe/tunnel as well. My concern is that with all the levees being built up stream and all the pumping stations being built up stream, the Iowa River will experience a tremendous increase in water volume and flow in the future. I would prefer the City not increase this flow West of the Taft Speedway homes. Therefore, improving the current method/procedure of dealing with "run off" north of Foster Road seems preferable. The City Manager, Tuesday evening, seemed to imply that raising Foster Road was the next option so I assume what I suggest could be done at the same time. still do not see a need for a Taft Speedway and Dubuque Street intersection. This would be a major cost saving measure for the Gateway Project. An abandoned Taft Speedway Street south of Parkview Church would greatly enhance the appearance and aesthetics of the Church, the wooded area south of the church, the Iowa Boat House etc., etc. I know we could play the "what if there was an accident game" at Dubuque and Foster Road, Dubuque and Ridge Road, Dubuque and Kimball Road, Dubuque and Brown Street, Dubuque and Ronald's Street, Dubuque and Church Street, the 1-80 Dubuque Street exit, 1-80 Dodge Street exit, etc., etc. For all we know there could be "an accident" in front of the central firehouse doors.... Laura Drive and the Ed Cole property present a second and a third access to the west end of the peninsula. It is my understanding that access to the Ed Cole project will be north of the Dubuque Street/Foster Road intersection. I am sure the Mid-America service area under their power lines that parallel 1-80 could be used in case of an emereencv as well In summary, I think my above suggestions would represent tremendous cost saving measures to the City, James J. White 121 Taft Speedway St. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 8.e. Description Diane Duncan -Goldsmith: Thank you - Work Session to Address 101 Lusk Ave Build Kellie Fruehling From: Diane Duncan -Goldsmith <ddgoldsmith.icia@gmaiLcom> Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2018 9:18 PM To: Council Subject: Thank You - Work Session to Address 101 Lusk Ave. Build Dear Members of the Iowa City City Council, I was one of the neighbors who had the opportunity to speak with Councilor Cole when he met with us regarding concerns of how issues raised over construction of the building at 101 Lusk Avenue were handled. During the meeting, solutions to prevent similar issues arising from construction in other Iowa City neighborhoods were also discussed. I believe Rockne's suggestion of a Council work session to address issues of concern and to develop strategies to address future building projects in Iowa City is a great first step. As Rockne mentioned in his request, there are three primary proposals to address, these are the issues which the Neighborhood feels are most important. They are as follows: 1. Create an evaluative process specific to all residential infill development. Build specified triggers mandating notification of neighbors when the proposed size of the new home -to -surrounding -property scale, based on footprint and possibly height, deviates by a certain percentage. 2. Create a separate building classification for large entertainment venues. For example, at a minimum, the presence of regular and anticipated crowd sizes should "trigger" commercial type safety features (sprinklers, exit door design, etc.). 3. The City's quasi-judicial Boards should function independently of NDS/Legal/City Manager. The City attorney should not advise and represent the actions of those under scrutiny (by the appeal process) while also selecting and advising the legal representation of the "independent" Board. This is a conflict. In addition, the same appointed/hired attorney should not represent multiple Boards (e.g. Adjustment and Appeals) when there is more than one hearing brought by the same plaintiff(s). Hopefully, the work session will result in Council direction to City Staff to draft policies or recommend ordinance changes to implement these policies which will address the issues and concerns resulting from the 101 Lusk build. Thank you for your attention to these issues. Sincerely, Diane Duncan -Goldsmith 329 Beldon Avenue Diane Duncan -Goldsmith, MS, RDN, LD ddgoldsmith.icia@gmaii.com 319-594-2151 (c) tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 8.f. Description Barbara Haring: Possible use of the former Unitarian building [Staff response included] Kellie Fruehling From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 11:53 AM To: 'Barbara Haring'; Council Subject: RE: Possible use of the former Unitarian building Ms. Haring, Thank you for the email and suggestions for the former Unitarian Church building. We are excited to see that historic property being restored with the Augusta Place project. The developer is obligated under our Tax Increment Financing agreement to repurpose the building for a commercial use. Again thank you for your suggestions and for your interest in the successful renovation of the property. Best, Geoff Fruin City Manager From: Barbara Haring [mailto:b.haring@mchsi.com] Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 10:10 AM To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org> Subject: Possible use of the former Unitarian building Hello, Our City and the developer have a join interest in the future use of the former UUSIC building. I was wondering if it could be an office for the Historic Preservation office? Or some of the other Urban Planning offices? Perhaps on a lease arrangement? I understand other uses, such as a coffee shop or art gallery have also been mentioned. Barbara Haring 2902 Eastwood DR IC tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 8.g. Description Megan Lyons: School Crossing Scott Blvd and Washington St [Staff response included] Kellie Fruehling From: Derek Frank Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 1:57 PM To: mlyonsl@gmail.com Cc: Council; Jody Matherly Subject: RE: School Crossing Scott Blvd and Washington St. Megan - Thank you for letting us know of your concerns. Children and pedestrian safety is of great importance to us. Your email was forwarded to me, as the Police Department oversees the crossing guards in the city. Unfortunately, limited resources do not allow us to place crossing guards at each intersection along potential routes between homes and elementary schools. We do staff a guard at the Scott Blvd./Court St. intersection, which is the safest location for pedestrians to cross Scott Blvd. due to the presence of the traffic light. We will study these two intersections during the pre- and post -school travel times to see if any adjustments should be made to the guard locations. Additionally, we will communicate with the school district and parents concerning any changes and to encourage them to have their children follow a route that allows for the safest crossing of Court St. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. 61 Sgt, Derek Frank #i97 Planning&Research ( NO 319-356-5275 Fair Re*Drww Profe"orta From: Megan Lyons [mailto:mlvonsl@email.com] Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 10:48 AM To: Council <Council@iowa-citv.ore> Subject: School Crossing Scott Blvd and Washington St. Good Morning, I am writing with great concern for children from Lemme Elementary and their families who cross Scott Blvd at Washington St (which turns into Scott Park Dr east of Scott Blvd). This is a significant crossing area for children who attend Lemme and live on the east side of Scott Blvd. As someone who has a child at Lemme and drives on Scott Blvd nearly everyday, I know that Scott has high amounts traffic at times and drivers go well above the posted speed limit. Everyday I see children standing at the corner waiting, looking, waiting, looking and then running across Scott to beat traffic. This is not due to children's poor choices. Rather, it's the nature of the intersection. Additionally, drivers turning left onto Scott are vying for their turn while also needing to be aware of children who are present. Currently, there is one 'children crossing' sign RIGHT ON the corner of the intersection. This does nothing to create caution in drivers ahead of time. Particularly when cars are driving 40 mph. I am asking that this intersection be studied to better understand how the City can create a safer crossing situation for students and drivers, particularly right before and after school. Link to intersection: https://goo.pl/maps/UvSFoQmluLA2 Sincerely, Megan Lyons tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Ervin Stutzman: Gratefulness Item Number: 8.h. Kellie Fruehling From: Ervin_Stutzman@comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 9:37 AM To: Council Subject: Gratefulness To whomever should get the credit: For the last couple of weeks, I've been a guest of family and friends in Iowa City. Each day, I've taken some time to bike the trails in the area, including the trails in Coralville and beyond. On a couple of days, my wife joined me with her bike. I simply wish to convey my deep appreciation for these trails, which have contributed to my physical and emotional well-being. Thanks for all you do to develop and maintain them. With deep appreciation, Ervin R. Stutzman Harrisonburg, VA Item Number: 81 tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Staff response - Street Trees - North Dodge - late handout 10/1 Allison Donnell: Street Trees - North Dodge 61 Kellie Fruehling From: Zac Hall Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2018 3:36 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: 'andonnell@gmail.com' Cc: Council; 'leeburress@gmai l.com' Subject: Street Trees - North Dodge 11 `1 c6 (Date) Allison, Thank you for contacting us. I've been asked to respond to your email regarding streets trees along the North Dodge corridor. We are fortunate this corridor has great mature tree canopy coverage from Hickory Hill Park and other private properties. This corridor could be a candidate for a large scale planting project. Such projects are coordinated with the Public Works Department. From an urban forestry perspective our industry motto is "The right tree in the right place". We want to ensure that any tree we plant has an opportunity to grow and sustain itself. We can certainly explore what is possible for this area. I'd be happy to follow up with you individually. I am out of the office tomorrow, so if you do not hear back from me by next week please feel free to contact me personally. Thank you for your interest and support. I look forward to talking soon, CITY OF IOWA CITY Zachary Hall UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE Superintendent of Parks 319-356-5093 WWW.ICGOV.ORG 410 E Washington St 0000 Iowa City, IA 52240 Kellie Fruehling From: Allison Donnell <andonnell@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 12:20 PM To: Council Cc: Lee Burress Subject: Street Trees - North Dodge Hello, As I was showing my parents around a weekend or so again I had the chance to see my neighborhood through fresh eyes. I noticed that there are very few if any trees in the parkway along North Dodge Street between Scott Blvd and Prairie Du Chien. As this is a main entrance to Iowa City I think it would be nice to have a tree lined street to welcome visitors others coming in along North Dodge. Thanks, Allison Item Number: 8.j. tr 'cmgz�, CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Matthew Lage: Kiosk at Iowa and Clinton Kellie Fruehling From: Matthew Lage <mlage.iowabook@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 9:04 AM To: Council Subject: Kiosk at Iowa and Clinton Attachments: Resized_20180924_171340.jpeg; Resized_20180924_171116jpeg on Attached are two candid pics taken of the kiosk at Iowa and Clinton Streets, and we here at Iowa Book were wondering how long this punch -line will run. Can you mull over considering a replacement/extraction for a future budget? That would be nice. On a completely, utterly off -topic question, I had the opportunity to walk down to the Park Road bridge last night to figure out what everyone is laughing about. Kudos to the City Manager's sense of irony in allowing the specs to be approved, but the question is why the surface material on the arch is rather rough as opposed to slick, thus guaranteeing traction and raising the spirits of personal injury lawyers. Best, Matthew Lage, Book Department Manager Iowa Book - I I tr 'cmgz�l CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 2, 2018 ATTACHMENTS: Description Laurie Crawford: wildlife crossing - deer Item Number: 8.k. Kellie Fruehling From: laurie crawford <lauriecrawforc1517@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 3:36 PM To: Council Subject: wildlife crossings - deer Dear Mayor Throgmorton and Council Members, Here is just one example of the wildlife crossings built and being built across the United States. There are 2 pedestrian/bike paths near N. Dubuque Street and 1-80. Perhaps one of these could be converted to a wildlife crossing. I believe all or most of these are state funded. https://www.seattletimes.comiseattle-newslits-a-long-time-coming-6-2-million-wildlife bridge over i 90 nears completion/ Thanks for your consideration, Laurie Crawford 9/27/2018 'It's a long time coming': $6.2 million wildlife bridge over 1-90 nears completion I The Seattle Times PSearch Local News As we explore the plight of local orcas, we want you to be part of the conversation. Text the word ORCA to 2o6-429-4613 to receive the latest orca news right to your phone. `It's a long time coming': $6.2 million wildlife bridge over I-90 nears completion Originally published September 25, 2018 at 6:00 am Updated September26, 2018 at 11.40 am I of 4 Construction continues on the wildlife crossing over Interstate go near Snoqualmie Pass. (Steve Ringman 1 The Seattle Times) https:ltwww.seattletimes.comiseante ewslit"-long-time-coming-6-2-million-wildlife-bddge-over-i-90-neams mpletioni 117 9/27/2018 'It's a long time coming': $6.2 million wildlife bridge over 1-90 nears completion I The Seattle Times The wildlife bridge better connects north and south Cascades habitat. Traffic on Interstate go has been a barrier to wildlife. By Evan Bush v Seattle Times staff reporter It's just a patch of barren earth not much wider than a basketball court, but conservationists, government workers and construction managers are pretty fired up about it. "This is going to be really amazing," said Patty Garvey-Darda, a wildlife biologist in the Okanogan -Wenatchee National Forest. "It's a long time coming." https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/its-a-long-time-coming-6-2-million-wildlife-bridge-over-i-90-nears-completion/ 2/7 9/27/2018 'It's a long time coming': $6.2 million wildlife bridge over 1-90 nears completion I The Seattle Times The dirt surface spans a bridge structure across Interstate go near milepost 61 called an animal overcrossing. For decades, animals have had to contend with heavy traffic on I- go that has squashed plenty of creatures and cleaved entire populations in two. No longer. The new $6.2 million overcrossing, which is still under construction near Price Creek, will soon provide safe passage for elk, bears and maybe even mountain goats, as part of an ambitious overhaul of I-90 to reconnect wildlife habitats in the north and south Cascades. Cars pass through two concrete archways underneath. Construction crews completed those archway tubes last year. Workers this summer began placing 5 -square -foot panels of concrete and re -bar on the bridge's two sides and slowly filling it up with dirt. They were careful to distribute the fill evenly, to avoid pressuring the arch and risking collapse. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/its-a-long-time-coming-6-2-million-wildlife-bridgevver-i-90-nears-completion/ 3R 9/27/2018 'It's a long time coming': $6.2 million wildlife bridge over 1-90 nears completion I The Seattle Times WSDOT construction begins in 2016 on two arches for a bridge for wildlife to cross 1 -go. The Keechelus Wildlife Overpass east of Snoqualmie Pass will be completed in 2018. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times; renderings courtesy of WSDOT) Soon, the workers will raise 8 -foot walls on both sides of the 66 -foot wide bridge, which should block much of the traffic noise and also prevent snow from sloughing onto the roadway. By fall's end, the crews will have spread 115,000 cubic yards of dirt over the structure, according to Washington Department of Transportation spokeswoman Meagan Lott. You know those bags of mulch or soil you can buy at hardware stores? That figure is equivalent to more than 1.5 million of them. Next spring, conservationists and volunteers will plant native flora across the span, hoping the plants will make for an inviting destination. They hope to attract smaller creatures like shrews, pocket gophers and terrestrial salamanders to the crossing, too. "You're building a crossing structure for some species and a home for others," said Jen Watkins, of Conservation Northwest, a nonprofit that has championed the project. The project is one of more than two dozen wildlife crossings planned or completed as WSDOT manages a more than $goo million overhaul of a 15 -mile stretch of highway between Hyak and Easton. So far, the work is about halfway complete. The agency so far has constructed two new avalanche bridges, stabilized rock slopes, replaced several other bridges and widened I -go from four to six lanes from Hyak to Stampede Pass. By revamping the highway with wildlife's needs in mind, officials were able to broker an easement with the U.S. Forest Service to add the additional lanes. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/its-a-long-time-coming-6-2-million-wildlife-bridg"ver-i-90-nears-completion/ 417 9/27/2018 'It's a long time coming': $6.2 million wildlife bridge over 1-90 nears completion I The Seattle Times "It's a win-win. We could improve transportation. We did lose some national forest," said Garvey-Darda referring to construction of additional highway lanes. "But we can connect the North Cascades and the South Cascades." Three undercrossings can be seen from the animal bridge. For much of the summer, construction workers have been watching two does with fawns cross back and forth beneath the highway. "The crews always take pride in that," said Phil Larson, a project manager for contractor Atkinson Construction. For the animals, to cross or not is no longer the question. It's whether to go high or stay low. Evan Bush: 2o6-464-2253 or ebush@seattletimes.com; on Twitter. @EvanBush. Mormon women's group aims call for probe of... Around the Web * View 130 Comments Recommended in Sen. Maria Cantwell, challenger Susan... Jury awards $7,500 for each body in Tennessee... WSU coach Mike Leach is a longtime admirer of Utah... https://www. seattletimes.com/seattle-news/its-a-long-time-coming-6-2-million-wildlife-bridgeover-i-90-nears-completion/ 5/7 CoSign Program 2017 In 2017, CoSign called for a national launch of the turn -key program and Downtown Iowa City was one of six chosen communities. Upon the completion of the program, Downtown Iowa City unveiled 12 new pedestrian oriented projecting blade signs that were locally designed and fabricated custom for the downtown businesses Lessons Learned: • Well designed and artistic led signs are costly: incentives need to be higher to encourage illumination and continued work with local artists • Other opportunities for storefront enhances can be encouraged based on design guidelines • ICDD should be more intimately involved in communication between artist, business and fabricators Cosign+ Mission: To provide meaningful and original pedestrian -oriented wayfinding enhancements to support improved navigation of the downtown and Northside environment, as well as improve direct sales through enhanced retail "theater." Goals: • Create a program that supports creative enhancements that foster a stronger sense of authentic place • Enhance business by encouraging further attention to individual storefronts • Allow for the character of each business to create theater on the sidewalk and enhance the collective experience of visitors downtown • Allow a more diverse group of businesses to participate in incentivized programs • Encourage continued creative enhancements, year after year for businesses Cosign+ Overview of program A multi -tiered approach towards investing in two main categories for business enhancements CoSign : Bring Back Creative Signage 0 Continue the CoSign program with a more tailored method 0 Goal of 7 participating businesses 0 50/50 match for dollars, up to S3,000 + Foster Creative Storefront Improvements 0 Targeted storefront improvements, incentivized as outlined by the Kiku Obata Design Guidelines and Downtown Works Retail Strategy could include: painting, new doors, window enhancements, exterior lighting, doorway enhancements, design services etc. (all developed from existing studies) 0 Goal of 14 participating businesses 0 50/50 match for dollars, up to S1,000 Direct Recommendations 'u r' from Kiku Obata Design Guidelines Incentives to be developed to allow s small, incremental improvements including: artistic door plates, door entries, blade signs, canopy signage, painted doorways, restoring glass windows, outdoor merchandising n� 0 �JLLii �Nl�'W Y'<�ti, I �R a Step 1 & 2 Sept. �1 I III Seeure Funding CoSign+ Timeline Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 & 6 Oct. Nov. Jan -March Define Program and Name Applications, submission forms Establish Rules/Regulations itep 8 April May -October II I I I I 1 1 1111 Close Committee Applications for Chooses CoSign & 1st Approved Tier 2 Applications application round Business Outreach & Workshop I 2nd Round of Tier 2 applications & awards CoSign & + underway Building Change & CoSign Marketing & Outreach to Businesses to apply for: • Building Change Grant Program - City of Iowa City • Building Change Loan Program- City of Iowa City • CoSign - ICDD • + - ICDD Summary Key Takeaways • Expands the impact of the CoSign program for years to come • Offers scaled levels of participation for businesses looking for enhancement opportunities Provides creative and long lasting enhancements for businesses and the Downtown District Thank you Thomas Agran- Director of Public Art Betsy Potter- Director of Operations