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FRIDAY, AUG. 24, 2018 | IN THIS ISSUE
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 UI construction moratorium to end on schedule
Despite concerns that persistent funding issues could extend the University of Iowa's five-month moratorium on campus projects, university officials announced Thursday they would lift the temporary halt as planned, effective Sept. 12.
In response to a late-year state funding cut of nearly $5.5 million,
the UI announced in April it would freeze more than 100 projects in various stages of development, from a $120 million UI Health Care clinic extension at Iowa River Landing and a $50 million art museum to dozens of smaller renovation and maintenance jobs.
Now those projects are back on the table.
"I'd like to thank our partners on and off campus for their patience and support during this moratorium," said Rod Lehnertz, senior vice president for finance and operations, in a release. "Many communities are affected as the university addresses the generational disinvestment from the state, and we appreciate your standing with us as we make difficult choices to maintain excellence for our students."
The moratorium suspended all campus physical care and improvement projects from April 12 to Sept. 12, with limited exceptions for projects that had been bid and awarded or were already in construction, projects addressing public safety or building code concerns, and emergency projects of a critical or time-sensitive nature.
UI officials put a temporary hold on three new buildings including the museum, a $10.8 million clubhouse at Finkbine Golf Course and a $30 million entrepreneurial center for the Tippie College of Business. Work was also deferred on the IRL clinic and $308 million in other planned renovations across campus and the UI Health Care system.
UI officials said they decided to lift the moratorium after evaluating levels of state support and other sources of funding such as tuition, grants and private donations.
The UI release noted that ongoing efforts to address round after round of state cuts while maintaining student and research excellence have impacted the care and modernization of more than 250 university buildings. This year's cost deferrals may result in more expensive costs in the future, it said, due to increased wear on facilities and potential changes in the construction market during the moratorium.
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Kris Gulick
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Former Cedar Rapids Council member Kris Gulick has been named CFO of EdgeData LLC, a producer of analytical software tools for business.
In his role as CFO, Mr. Gulick will spearhead the planning and implementation of updated processes to scale the company for growth, according to the company, which has offices in Cedar Rapids and Grand Forks, North Dakota. That will include expanding the subsidiary companies under EdgeData and raising capital - a role that Mr. Gulick has already played for the company.
"Kris's experiences are truly immeasurable," said Chris Shroyer, president and co-founder of EdgeData. "He has the background in finance, the interest in our industry and a proven ability to deliver results. He'll make a great addition to our team."
Mr. Gulick in 2005 founded Cedar Rapids-based consulting firm, Entreprenurial Services Group LLC, which focuses on proving financial analysis, reporting and forecasting for dozens of clients. He sold the business
in 2017 to Gary Kaufman, shortly after announcing a run for mayor of Cedar Rapids. A CPA by trade, Mr. Gulick also has a substantial background in accounting.
"I'm excited to work with the experienced management team at EdgeData," Mr. Gulick said in a release. "They have laid a solid foundation, and I look forward to helping improve upon their existing processes."
Mr. Gulick's appointment as CFO follows the recent hire of Tammy Heying as business development manager with BladeEdge, an EdgeData company focused on producing analytics software for the wind energy industry. Ms. Heying was most recently responsible for business development with TrueNorth Companies, and previously spent time in sales operations with Marion-based IT and cloud provider Involta.
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In this week's CBJ Report on CBS2/FOX 28, Editor Adam Moore discusses the Iowa City Council's first approval of a move to rezone a high-profile spot in downtown Iowa City, Cedar Rapids' newest national ranking and rounds up the Corridor companies on this year's Inc. 5000 list. Watch the full report
here.
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Community and company leaders break ground on Tiffin's new Fareway on Aug. 24.
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Community leaders and Fareway representatives including CEO Reynolds Cramer gathered in Tiffin yesterday to break ground on the grocery chain's newest store.
The 19,000-square-foot building will be the town's first grocery store in decades, according to Tiffin Mayor Steve Berner. It is located at 500 Croell Ave., on a four-lot development east of Solon State Bank that is under development by Matthew Adam-led Kaiser Holdings of Coralville.
The need for a grocery store was a top priority in a citizen survey years ago, and the city's work with Fareway took several years to come to a boil. Tiffin City Administrator Doug Boldt remained in frequent contact with Fareway throughout the process. Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer said that even though the effort had taken longer than expected, he thinks the final project timing will work out best for both the city and Fareway.
"We are very excited for the new store in Tiffin, as this has been long anticipated by both area residents and staff alike," Mr. Reynolds said.
Construction has already started on the building, with completion expected next spring.
Tiffin was
named Iowa's fastest growing city in June, surpassing Waukee in central Iowa. It's population grew 72 percent between 2010-2017, from 1,964 residents to 3,361, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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A decision by University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to not renew its 14-year-old contract with Iowa City-based Java House has sparked a social media furor, generating nearly 950 comments on social media in just five days as well as vows to boycott its replacement.
"It is an incredibly sad week for our Java House team at our UIHC locations as we prepare to say goodbye," Java House President and Founder Tara Cronbaugh said in a statement
posted on Facebook Aug. 18. "After nearly 14 years of bringing Java House coffee to UIHC, the administration has made the decision not to renew our contract and will be seeking another vendor to bring you coffee at UIHC later this fall."
Java House currently has UIHC locations in the Roy Carver Pavillion, General Hospital, the Pomerantz Family Pavilion and the Stead Family Children's Hospital. The local chain has been told to vacate those stores by the end of October to make way for a new vendor. A fifth university location, in the Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, will remain open.
"We leave with our heads held high knowing we did everything that we could for our amazing guests," Ms. Cronbaugh said. "We are very grateful for all the opportunities that have been extended to our team and our company. We are very proud of what we have brought to the university organization."
Online reaction to the announcement was swift and overwhelmingly furious, amassing hundreds of comments in just a few days.
"There's NO WAY they are going to find another vendor finer than Java House...I can guarantee that," wrote Mike Gerstbrein of Iowa City in one typical response. "A totally wrong-headed decision by UIHC administration."
"The replacement will no doubt be some cold, sterile corporate box with no connection to Iowa City or even Iowa," echoed Scott McQuillen, also of Iowa City. "What on earth could the reason behind this be? Seriously? How much benefit to the U can there be here to make this change?"
In an online statement of its own, UIHC addressed "fellow coffee fans," explaining it had decided to go with a more cost efficient partner after a "fair and open" request for proposals process.
"Java House has gotten out ahead of us a bit. They have done a great job in UI Hospitals & Clinics over the years, and we're glad they will continue to operate the shop in the Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building," the statement said. "We wish them nothing but success as they continue to grow their business throughout the Corridor."
UIHC said it has already selected a new vendor for the four hospital locations, but was not yet ready to announce the recipient, calling on the public to "stay tuned." The statement brought derision and accusations of hijacking from a few Java House fans, with Wren Recalde of Mount Vernon commenting, "This is one of the worst PR responses on social media that I've ever seen. And that's saying something. Work on yourselves, UIHC."
Ms. Cronbaugh said the coffee chain is doing its best to shift employees to other locations and to create new positions as it expands its wholesale department. Java House also plans to open a new location at the newly renovated terminal of the Cedar Rapids airport in the spring, she said.
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Aug. 27
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 201 E. Ninth St., Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free for members. Call the chamber at (319) 337-9637 if interested and not a member.
Aug. 28
China IP Roadshow, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and UI College of Law, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Boyd Law Building, 130 Byington Road, Iowa City. This full-day event brings the expertise and knowledge of the USPTO's China specialists to local businesses and attorneys. This edition will include a component focusing specifically on the Iowa experience with intellectual property issues relating to China. Free. For more information and to register, visit
bit.ly/2mATYaN.
Intrapreneur Academy Info Session, by NewBoCo, 1-4 p.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Intrapreneur Academy is a year-long training program where organizations of all types learn how to be innovative in a rapidly changing world. Attend an info session to learn more about the program and meet with NewBoCo's Director of Innovation Mandy Webber. Free. For more information and to register, visit
newbo.co.
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End the week on a good note
Forward the FREE CBJ Business Daily newsletter to your friends and colleagues, and share the feeling of being informed! Use our fast, one-minute subscription to the CBJ's newsletters
here, or check out our other subscription options
here.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
This Saturday would have been the seventh-annual Iowa City Latino Festival, which was an event first created to showcase the culture and community of Latinos with the rest of the city, but that festival was postponed. The festival said vendors were worried there would be safety issues at the festival in the wake of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbett's death. That's because of discussion surrounding Cristhian Rivera's immigration status and heightened political tension on issues of immigration. Despite this tension, organizers of the festival wanted to also show the Iowa City community, and loved ones of Ms. Tibbetts, that the Latino community is also grieving her loss. "When we decided to kind of like move and reschedule the festival, it's trying to tell the people, we support, and we are with the family and friends. And I think in our culture, and for sure in every culture, when somebody dies in the community, we show support and love," said Manny Galvez, director and founder of the festival. Mr. Galvez said they will be working with the city to move the festival in the fall.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed seven members to a "Teachers Cabinet" in an effort to give teachers more of a voice on education policies. The members include instructors from around the state, including a Cedar Rapids teacher. Ms. Reynolds is also looking for up to eight more teachers to be on the board. If you would like to nominate someone to be on the board you can email your nomination to
[email protected]. In your email explain in 250 words or less why you are recommending that teacher. Anyone can nominate, including school leaders, community members, parents and students. You can also self-nominate. Cabinet members serve for one year.
T
hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
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CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
Showers and thunderstorms will be likely today with the potential for some strong to severe thunderstorms this evening. There are a lot of factors today that is creating uncertainty in the strengthen of these storms. If there is clearing, instability will build setting the stage for severe thunderstorms. If clearing does not occur, the severe threat will be lower, but there will still be the potential for thunderstorms with an approaching cold front. Overall, the pattern supports severe weather with strong shear and plentiful moisture, but the instability remains a big question. The greatest severe risk will be near the warm front. The latest forecast has that warm front near Highway 30 to Interstate 80. This would be the area of concern for large hail and tornadoes. The rest of the area will see the potential for scattered storms with strong winds.
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