SUMMER ’18 vol. 3 Aquatics 13 Cable TV 5 CONSUMER FIREWORKS WITHIN Community Main St. 11 THE CITY OF CEDAR FALLS: Events 19 Hearst Center 15 Professional fireworks shows are an exciting experience for everyone and Historical Society 11 are the safest fireworks displays. In the last year, the City of Cedar Falls Library 16–17 decided to restrict the use of consumer fireworks within city limits. Novelty Mayor’s Corner 3 Parks 14 type fireworks are still allowed, this would include: sparklers, snakes and Project Updates 2 glow worms, party poppers, snappers, and toy smoke devices. The sale of Public Meetings 20 consumer fireworks are still allowed; however, consumer fireworks are not Public Safety 4 Rec Center 5, 12 allowed to be used within the city limits. All retail sales locations require Stormwater 7 a license from the State Fire Marshal to sell fireworks. Waste/Recycling 9 FIREWORKS SAFETY If you are in an area where fireworks are allowed, the National Council on Fireworks Safety has some tips to help you and your family stay safe to enjoy this holiday season. • Obey the laws and regulations for the use of fireworks. • Read and understand the safety labels on your fireworks before you light. • Children should only use fireworks with direct and responsible adult supervision. Children ages 5–9 have the highest risk for injuries from fireworks. • Do not drink alcohol and use fireworks! • Wear safety glasses and ear protection when shooting fireworks. • Always have a hose and a bucket of water with you. www.fireworkssafety.org/safety-tips • Dispose of fireworks in a bucket of water. • Light ONE firework at a time; move away quickly. • Only use fireworks outside in a clear area, at least 20 feet away from vehicles and buildings. • If the firework does not fire, do not relight. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in water. • Do not experiment with homemade fireworks. Do not alter fireworks. • Do not carry fireworks in your pockets or clothing, and do not shoot fireworks toward anyone else. • Do not bring pets to a fireworks display. • If you have pets, put them inside the house when fireworks are going off. UNIVERSITY AVENUE UPDATE CENTER STREET RECREATIONAL Another construction season is underway and activities resumed TRAIL PROJECT on University Avenue in mid-March. This construction season In July 2017, the City of Cedar Falls entered includes completing the second year of Phase 2 and constructing into an agreement with the Iowa Department Phase 3. Phase 2 covers the area from McClain Drive to Midway of Transportation that helps fund a 10 foot Qualities of Cedar Falls! Drive. In 2017, work focused on the east and west ends of the wide recreational trail along Center Street. project, due to drainage. The middle of the project started this The Transportation Alternative Program, Once again I will refer back to the book of various historical records of Cedar Falls in the 1800’s year and will be completed in 2018. Phase 3 includes the area Surface Transportation Program, and the between Main Street and Grove Street; it is also is planned to Transportation Improvements Program published by Peter Melendy, one of our city’s founding fathers, as he described his thinking be complete in 2018. administered through the Iowa Department of the growth and opportunities in Cedar Falls at the time: “Pleasure is always to be derived Construction activities this year in Phase 2 include removal of of Transportation will provide approximately existing pavement, storm sewer, water main, and sanitary sewer. $258,500 for the construction of the new from looking backward over the growth and progress of a city. But as it is pleasant to review Proposed work includes new storm sewer, water main, sanitary pedestrian trail. the past, so is it a delight to look on into the near future and behold the dim outline of what sewer, roadway, sidewalks, trails, roadway lighting, landscaping, The recreational trail will extend along the there is in store for a city with such flourishing propensities as has this Garden City of ours.” and bus shelters. Work continues at the Cedar Heights Drive west side of Center Street from Cottage intersection, with anticipated completion in September. Row Road north to Lone Tree Road. Approximately mid-July, a traffic shift in Phase 2 is anticipated, As we near the end of our fiscal year on June 30th, Cedar Falls should have well over $115 million moving traffic onto the westbound lanes (one lane in each Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2018 and to be direction), allowing reconstruction of the eastbound lanes of completed in late summer 2018. The cost of construction is of new taxable valuation for this fiscal year. This continued growth is a large part of why our University Avenue. Weather permitting, Phase 2 is anticipated approximately $460,000 which includes not only a concrete city taxes and debt are one of the lowest in the state, our valuation is one of the highest, to be completed at the end of September. recreational trail, but also storm sewer improvements and earthwork. and our outlook into the future is one of the brightest. University Avenue Phase 3 is a much smaller area. Construction For questions or more information, please contact Engineering includes the same removals and improvements as Phases 1 and 2. Services at (319) 268-5161. Approximately half of the road work is completed. New pavement The vibrancy of our city overall cannot be overstated, nor can the challenges. Soon the council on the westbound lanes will carry traffic while eastbound lanes are will continue the conversations on another portion of downtown that takes us back to our roots; under construction, as seen on the map. One lane of travel in each direction will be maintained at all times. Depending on the area of LEVEE UPDATE the Cedar River. This includes improving the north river bank adjacent to Gateway Park and the work, certain on and off ramps at Highway 58/University Avenue river itself. Please keep abreast of the potential changes and the decisions our City Council makes. will be closed. The northbound exit ramp is anticipated to be open Cedar Falls Levee Floodwall System Improvements construction throughout construction. If all goes well, construction activities in started in late 2017. This year work has continued in different phases I believe our river could once again be a quality-of-life and economic development feature we can Phase 3 are projected to wrap up in early November. around downtown. This project raises the levee’s protection level by be proud of. As described above, I believe it’s important to look back pleasantly and look ahead two feet. While construction is an inconvenience, please support the with delight to see that dim outline of what’s to come. Melendy states about the Cedar River businesses along University Avenue and be patient. University Construction in the area of the Ice House Museum continues with a Avenue will remain open throughout construction; all businesses new concrete floodwall, along with sanitary improvements for the years ago, “It would be impossible to name all of the beauties of this Gem of the Cedar Valley.” and residences will have access during construction. bathroom in the Ice House Museum. For more information or project updates, visit the University Crews recently completed a lower retaining wall at Peter Melendy Another quality-of-life feature is moving forward in Cedar Falls—the Place to Play Playground Avenue project website (www.cedarfalls.com/universityave). Park. Work continues to raise the floodwall and replace the trail. Construction traffic will be crossing trails; please follow signs and located in Greenhill Park, near the corner of Greenhill and Hudson Roads. It has taken an incredible be cautious when using trails in that area. effort from parents and citizens to privately raise roughly $650,000 so far, with more to go towards Earthen levee areas have been raised. Temporary seeding is in place, the overall effort. Although all kids and parents will enjoy the park, the focus is on kids with special with final grading and shoreline reinforcement happening later in needs to provide a fun, exciting, and safe place to play. The entire effort and generosity is inspiring. the summer. Construction will start soon on parts of a future plaza at 2nd and State Streets. Crews will install trails, stairs, and planter boxes around the earthen levee section. As a part of the RiverPlace Our Community Center, located next to the library, has a myriad of activities throughout the year. development, a plaza will be built. It is set to occur the summer of 2020, after buildings in the area are completed. I’ve personally witnessed play at their billiards tables that would rival any professional game, sang along with crowds at small concerts, eaten pancakes with various Christmas characters, attended formal events from city staff, and the list goes on. Please look for upcoming activities—all folks can enjoy what the Community Center offers. As always, there’s the danger of mentioning a few features Cedar Falls can brag about while leaving others out. Suffice to say, it’s important to focus on the entirety of what our great city has to offer, and look for ways to continue flourishing in every aspect of life. It’s an honor to serve Cedar Falls. ~ This summer, work Jim Brown will continue at the south end of the levee, near Western Home Communities and Cedar Falls Utilities. For information and updates, sign up for Replacing pavement—University Ave Phase 3 “Levee” e-mail notifications at www.cedarfalls.com/notifyme.