WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6, 2021 | IN THIS ISSUE
• Carson Farms delayed to allow annexation policy review
• In the CBJ: Ranking 2020's top deals and projects
• U-Haul: Iowa benefits from migration away from cities
• Three Corridor communities among 'best' in Midwest
• CBJ announces 2021 Economic Forecast Luncheon
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast
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Carson Farms delayed to allow annexation policy review |
Annexation and interim rezoning of a massive 196-acre residential development on Iowa City’s west side was deferred by city council members a second time Tuesday night – this time indefinitely.
The council, split on whether to allow the project known as Carson Farms to move forward, voted unanimously to put off a decision until the city’s annexation plan could be reviewed, first in a yet-to-be scheduled work session, and later by staff and a coalition reviewing the city’s affordable housing policy. That policy currently requires new development in city limits and development on land annexed by the city to provide 10% affordable housing for 20 years – a requirement several council members said does not go far enough.
Carson Farms developers are seeking annexation and interim rezoning of a large parcel of farmland located west of Highway 218 and south of Rohret Road to make way for a future development including homes and neighborhood retail. The property, currently part of unincorporated Johnson County, “is probably the last growth area there is for the foreseeable future” on the city’s west side, according to John Yapp of Allen Homes, who last month noted the project had been in the works for several years with the understanding the city had already designated the land as part of a future growth area, with a planned sewer trunk extension in 2023.
City staff previously recommended approval of the annexation and rezoning to Interim Development Single Family, adding that it would fill the need for additional housing to accommodate a growing population, was located in an area already designated for future growth and gave the city control over the shape of that growth, given the project would require additional rezoning before construction could begin. But the proposal met resistance from some council members at their December meeting, with some worrying the large development could encourage sprawl and tax city services.
Revisiting the issue Tuesday, council concerns mostly revolved around the housing affordability requirement of the city’s annexation policy and whether it was sufficient. Members arguing for delay were careful to say they were not opposed to the development in principle but wanted to take a closer look at the possibility of modifying the policy to encourage greater affordability and sustainable future growth – not just for Carson Farms, but future projects as well.
“I think where I am is just for us to take a look, a pause to see what we can create,” said Mayor Bruce Teague.
“This is 200 acres, not really a small amount of land,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih, adding that she was worried about already high housing prices on Iowa City’s west side. “I don’t really want to see our city become segregated by income … that’s why, for me, it’s important to have affordable housing in this project.”
Council Member Laura Bergus argued against delaying the council’s decision, pointing out the city’s current annexation policy had only been in place for two years. Since then, only one annexation project has been approved by the council “and we celebrated it.” Ms. Bergus said the council would have ample opportunity to shape Carson Farms’ direction in future rezonings, and warned the land was already zoned residential by Johnson County, meaning developers could already build and leave the city with little say about how.
“This is our opportunity to make a part of the community that expresses all of the things that we want – the missing middle, the smart growth principles,” she said. “If we have concerns about the cost of this development not being sustainable or not making sense in terms of the city’s budget, we can influence that. We can make sure [via the zoning process] this is done in a way that’s affordable, walkable and has schools and parks.”
PHOTO: The Carson Farms development would encompass nearly 200 acres west of Highway 218 and south of Rohret Road. CREDIT CITY OF IOWA CITY
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In the CBJ: Ranking 2020's top deals and projects |
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Though the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the pace of new projects somewhat, 2020 still saw its fair share of major developments, from the continuation of a transformative interstate highway project to Cedar Rapids ongoing flood control measures and Cargill's $37.6 million expansion and modernization at its soybean facility located north of downtown.
Though not definitive - our deadline came in late fall - the CBJ attempted to compile a list of some of 2020's most significant deals and projects as part of our annual Newsmakers edition, a look back at the stop stories, projects and people of the year.
Leaving out mergers and acquisitions like the $180 billion UTC-Raytheon deal, PepsiCo's $3.8 billion acquisition of Rockstar Energy Beverages and Collins Aerospace's sale of its military GPS business to BAE, some of the year's top construction and development projects included:
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The Interstate 80/380 interchange project, $350 million. Billed as one of the Iowa Department of Transportation's top priorities, work continues on the project, which includes four cloverleaf loops. Work is scheduled for completion in late 2023.
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Park Place, Tiffin, $275 million. Construction continues on this 450-acre mixed-use development project. Developers in October announced iGym as its first commercial tenant and began leasing for Aster village, a 36-unit apartment building expected to open for occupancy in March.
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BAE's new campus, Cedar Rapids, $100 million plus. BAE Systems in November broke ground on a new 278,000-square-foot factory and R&D center in southwest Cedar Rapids that will consolidate about 700 former Collins Aerospace workers now in Coralville and Cedar Rapids. The facility will include several hundred offices, workstations, classified and unclassified labs, and at least 50,000 square feet of space for future growth.
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Xtream Arena Powered by Mediacom, Coralville, $70 million. City and project leaders in October cut the ribbon on the 5,100-seat Xtream Arena and GreenState Family Fieldhouse, the crown jewel of Coralville's Iowa River Landing. Officials also announced that the arena will be home to a minor league hockey team.
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Eastern Iowa Airport expansion, Cedar Rapids, $65 million. The multi-phase, multi-year project is adding 54,000 square feet of space to the terminal, and reconfiguring and renovating existing space to add capacity and make travel through the airport a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.
For the full list of 2020's Top Deals and Projects as well as recaps and updates of the year's top business stories and our annual Leaders Survey, check out the print and digital 2020 Newsmakers editions.
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U-Haul: Iowa benefits from migration away from cities |
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The Hawkeye State leapfrogged six spaces on U-Haul’s list of migration growth states, jumping from 30th place in 2019 to 24th last year.
According to the report, Americans are moving in growing numbers and have been since May.
"While some people were hesitant to move during shelter-in-place mandates, those who moved were doing so out of necessity," U-Haul President John "J.T." Taylor said in a release. "We have been open and available to help all along as an essential service provider. As 2020 went along, we saw that more and more individuals and families recognized they can move safely."
From the time that President Donald Trump declared the pandemic a National Emergency in March, the 30 most populated U.S. cities (based on 2019 Census estimates) all witnessed more U-Haul trucks departing than arriving over the next three months. This indicated customers who were able to move, on the whole, were looking to escape urban cores for less-crowded destinations.
The Bay Area and New York City were among the most prevalent out-migration markets in U.S. during this three-month period – and throughout 2020.
Tennessee topped U-Haul’s list of migration growth states, beating out Texas and Florida, which had claimed the top two spots from 2016-19. In 2020, Texas was second for growth, and Florida third.
California ranked last by a wide margin, supplanting Illinois as the state with the greatest net loss of U-Haul trucks. California has ranked 48th or lower since 2016. Illinois has been 49th or 50th since 2015, when U-Haul began ranking states based on annual net gain.
While U-Haul migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the company says its growth data is an effective gauge of how well cities and states are attracting and maintaining residents.
PHOTO: Iowa leapt six spaces on U-Haul’s list of migration growth states as city-dwellers seek new horizons amid the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT UHAUL
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Three Corridor communities among 'best' in Midwest |
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The analytics website, drawing on data from the review site Niche, found that Coralville (No. 91), University Heights (No. 83) and Mount Vernon (No. 80) were among the best cities, towns and suburbs in a 12-state region that also includes Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
“Although the Midwest region of the United States has been derogatorily referred to as ‘flyover country’ in some instances, millions of Americans are more than happy to make their homes within these states,” the analysis found. “The cost of living tends to be cheaper, and the people are often naturally friendly.”
Stacker authors cited Mount Vernon’s “hip, artsy vibe” for making it the top ranked community statewide and lauded Coralville’s “stone’s throw” proximity to Iowa City and the University of Iowa, noting its “mix of families and young professionals who recently graduated.” University Heights was recognized as a place with “access to both a family-oriented smaller town and the hustle and bustle of college life.”
Other Iowa cities and towns making the list were Waukee (No. 100), Bettendorf (No. 98) and Clive (No. 92).
The analysis noted many of the top finishers were suburbs of larger metros, noting “they offer a close-knit feel, with good access to nature and safe neighborhoods. Meanwhile, they’re also located close enough to major urban areas that adults are easily able to commute into the city and access thousands of job opportunities.”
See Stacker’s full list here.
PHOTO: Coralville was one of six Iowa cities, including three in the Corridor, to be named to a recent list of 'Best Places to Live in the Midwest.' CREDIT WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
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CBJ announces 2021 Economic Forecast Luncheon |
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The Corridor Business Journal (CBJ) announces its 2021 Economic Forecast Luncheon livestream, to be held Jan. 20 from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
This free virtual event invites a keynote and panel to share their insights into where the economy is heading under the Biden administration and the biggest opportunities and challenges facing their industries and the Corridor.
Gary Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, will kick off the program with a keynote address on what’s ahead for the Biden administration and trade in the new year. Mr. Hufbauer was the institute’s Reginald Jones Senior Fellow from 1992-2018, and before that held leadership and research positions with the Council on Foreign Relations, Georgetown University and the U.S. Treasury. He has written extensively on trade, investment and tax issues, coauthoring more than a dozen books.
Following Mr. Hufbauer’s remarks, Jack Evans, chairman of The Hall-Perrine Foundation, will moderate a local business leaders panel discussion. Panelists include:
- Joe Ahmann, owner and president of Ahmann Companies
- Jennifer Bennett, president of Shive-Hattery
- Mike Gerdin, president and CEO of Heartland Express
- Suresh Gunasekaran, CEO of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
- Mike Ralston, president of Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Traditionally the CBJ’s largest event of the year, the format of this event has changed to a livestream for the safety of speakers, staff and attendees. There is no cost to register. Registrants who cannot watch live will be sent a link after the event to watch the program on demand. For more information or to register, visit www.corridorbusiness.com/corridor-economic-forecast-luncheon/ or call Ashley Moore at (319) 665-6397, ext. 311. Registration ends Jan. 18.
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Short Term Event Planner
Jan. 7
Wake Up Marion, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 8 a.m., online. Grab a cup of coffee and get to know host Angie Chaplin with Mindful Leadership. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/33VOopt.
2021’s Hottest Businesses, Markets & Trends, by U.S. Small Business Administration, noon, online. Learn about America’s changing demographics, attitudes and consumer behaviors; how a small business can adapt and address those changes; how restaurants can transform their operations; and how COVID-19 has created entrepreneurial opportunities. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3oxcsXy.
Jan. 12
How to Pivot to Sell in the New Economy, by National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), 11 a.m., online. Mary Lombardo, of NAWBO Chicago, will discuss how to pivot your sales strategy to find new ways to bring in business and how to keep your sales team motivated and focused. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3r3G1Ck.
Jan. 13
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:30 a.m., online. Join for community connections and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9 a.m., online. Join for community connections and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC.
Whole Organization Budgeting: A Collaborative Approach for Nonprofits, by CLA, 10 a.m., online. Learn the four phases of whole organization budgeting, how to involve a wide cross-section of staff in the budgeting process and outline an effective plan for using your organization’s resources. Free. To register, vist bit.ly/2J15XgQ.
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These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
The number of Iowans who have died with COVID-19 surpassed 4,000 today as the state reported an additional 61 deaths. That makes the total number of Iowans to have died with the virus 4,060, as of 10:30 a.m. Additionally, the state reported an additional 2,785 Iowans have tested positive for the virus. The state’s data shows a total of 289,464 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. This data shows COVID-19 was the underlying cause of 3,722 of the reported deaths, and COVID-19 was a contributing factor in 338 of the reported deaths. A total of 249,867 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19. Hospitalizations increased for a second day in a row today. The state reported 604 people are in the hospital with the virus. That number is up from 582 reported on Tuesday. 125 patients were admitted to hospitals with the virus over the last 24 hours. There are 116 people in the ICU and 54 on ventilators. According to the data the state makes available, 6,032 tests were reported over the last 24 hours. A total of 1,375,680 tests have been conducted since the pandemic began. According to this data, the positivity rate over the last 24 hours was 46.2%.
Iowa State Fair organizers announced today country music icon Blake Shelton will perform at the 2021 State Fair with special guest Matt Stell. Organizers said Shelton will take the Grandstand at 8 p.m. Aug. 13. Shelton last performed on the Iowa State Fair Grandstand in 2008 with Tracy Lawrence. Tickets will go on sale starting Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. The 2020 Iowa State Fair was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fair organizers said all COVID-19 safety precautions will be taken as required. The 2021 Iowa State Fair is scheduled for Aug. 12-22. For more information, click here.
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
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Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast |
The bright sunshine we enjoyed leaves us. Clouds move back in and a system off to the west could also bring a few flurries to the state. Clouds, fog, and flurries stay with us through Thursday. Looking at the end of the week and the weekend, quiet and seasonable weather with highs in the middle to upper 20s can be expected. |
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