CoSUMnMER nection2 018 Iowa Arena breaks ground l page 4 A Hometown 4th of July Coralville’s 4thFest tradition marches on this Independence Day – page 6 2 & 3 4 & 5 6 & 7 8 & 9 10-12 13 14-16 17 18 & 19 Back Flood Arena 4thFest Projects Police & Fire Wastewater Summer Performing Library Community Arts 2 CORALVILLE CONNECTION FLOOD ANNIVERSARY RAememlboeriongk th e Hbistoaricc Flk ood of 2008 Coralville marks the 10 year anniversary with an appreciation for progress & flood protection 2nd Street looking east, from 6th Avenue to Hawkins Drive, June 13, 2008 Edgewater Drive, June 14, 2008 Despite the valiant efforts to protect low- lying areas, the Iowa River, Clear Creek, and Biscuit Creek spread to areas in Coralville well beyond the floodway, the 100-year flood plain, and in some cases even the 500-year flood plain. A curfew was in effect within 100 yards of floodwaters from 8:30 pm to 6:00 am from June 14 to June 26; 310 households faced mandatory evacuations; and floodwaters reached 8 feet in the center of streets. Over 200 businesses were severely impacted by the high waters with a total of $21 million in damages. Road closures that lasted three weeks or more, as well as business closings, affected Coralville residents’ employment and access to health care, education, and services. In addition, 400 households were directly impacted, totaling $4.5 million in damages. The majority of these units were ultimately demolished, having suffered repeated flooding. About the Flood The homes on Edgewater Drive were purchased Flooding on the Iowa River, Clear Creek, and Biscuit Creek in 2008 caused through FEMA’s hazard mitigation grants or unprecedented damages in Coralville, in spite of dedicated efforts by city “buyout” program and the property will staff and community volunteers to protect the city’s core with sandbags and remain in green space in perpetuity. other temporary measures. Permanent mitigation measures put into place The City's infrastructure sustained over following the 1993 flood worked as planned but could not withstand the $7 million in damages. The City’s Transit near-500 year flood levels reached in June 2008. Maintenance Facility and Parks/Building The US Army Corps of Engineers notified city officials on June 4, 2008, Maintenance Department buildings near Clear that they would increase release rates at the Coralville Dam. That same Creek sustained water levels of over five feet. day, crews began filling and placing sandbags at homes in the city’s most The departments occupied temporary space vulnerable area, Edgewater Drive. Sandbagging continued for 10 more days in Coralville until a new shared facility at 900 until the crest on June 15, far surpassing the height of the spillway and 10th Street was completed in May 2012. any previous flooding events. SUMMER 2018 Summer 2018 8.5x11 pagesv2.qxp_winter 20051 5/22/18 11:19 AM Page 3 FLOOD ANNIVERSARY CORALVILLE CONNECTION 3 looRkeidneg vfeolrowpmared nt Old Town Coralville has also made progress in replacing housing that was not able to be repaired and Intersection of 2nd Street occupied after the flood. In Old Town, south of and 1st Avenue, June 15, 2008 5th Street and east of Biscuit Creek, a request for proposals process in 2012 yielded a plan for construction of a mixed use development Flood Mitigation that includes 140 townhomes and residential condominiums, and 10,000 square feet of Immediately following the flood, the City identified a comprehensive plan commercial space. This historic area is now for permanent mitigation measures to protect low-lying areas surrounding protected from flooding; in the heart of the Biscuit Creek, Clear Creek, and the Iowa River to a level one foot above the community; accessible to the transit system, 2008 flood. The City has actively pursued funding from federal and state trails, and sidewalks; close to schools, shopping, agencies for these projects and has been fortunate to have the support of and parks; and is again a vibrant neighborhood I-JOBS I and II, the Economic Development Administration, Community with green space, trail connections, public use Development Block Grants, state sales tax increment funding, U.S. areas, and a variety of housing. The project Economic Development Administration funds, and HUD National Disaster also included the renovation and permanent Resilience Funding. To date, these funds total $73 million. relocation of Old Town Hall, which was moved to Projects have included permanent and removable flood walls; earthen berms; 5th Street across from the 1876 Schoolhouse. raising streets and bridges; raising and fortifying a railroad embankment; and The former Briskey Cabinet site on 1st Avenue, storm sewer and storm water pump station improvements. Some of these just north of Clear Creek, was purchased by the City following repetitive flooding and is now measures were put to use during elevated water levels in 2013 and 2014. under private redevelopment as a mixed use Based on its flood mitigation efforts, flood plain management, and property with commercial space and residential outreach, the City of Coralville has achieved Class 7 in the National Flood units. The first building will be complete this Insurance Program Community Rating System. The system rewards efforts summer and work on the second building will with discounted flood insurance premium rates for property owners. CRS begin this year. Construction of a third building classes are rated from 9 to 1, with 1 being the highest. will begin in 2019. Overall, this development As of spring 2018, Coralville has completed its plan for permanent will include 12,700 square feet of commercial flood mitigation. space and 51 residential units. Tour Our Flood Protection Improvements View the system of berms, flood walls, elevated streets and bridges, and storm water pump stations that protect Villas on 4th Coralville from flooding. Villas on 4th, located on 4th Avenue just north Monday, June 11 | Tours at 12:30 pm & 5:30 pm of Clear Creek and west of Biscuit Creek, was also redeveloped by the owner following repetitive Coralville is providing free, guided tours of the flood protection flooding of Le Chateau Apartments, which was improvements that have been constructed since 2008. City staff will formerly on the site. In cooperation with the City, provide information about the improvements, how they work, and what Villas on 4th incorporated a portion of a floodwall they protect. Bus transportation provided; tours will along Biscuit Creek in its construction. last approximately one hour; tours depart from and return to City Hall parking lot, 1512 7th Street. The ten years that have passed since Coralville Please RSVP to ensure adequate seating. Call and many areas of Iowa experienced historic 319.248.1700 or email [email protected] and flooding have demonstrated the resiliency and include your name, number of people in your strength of the community. Permanent flood group, and tour choice of 12:30 pm or 5:30 pm. mitigation provides reassurance to property owners that Coralville is a sound investment. www.coralville.org 319.248.1700 4 CORALVILLE CONNECTION IOWA ARENA BREAKING GROUND ON THE Iowa Arena Construction has begun on the latest phase of the Iowa River Landing: a transformative project totaling $190 million in investment that includes a 5,100-seat arena, 53,000 square foot fieldhouse, a Staybridge Suites hotel, mixed-use office and retail space, as well as a new and permanent home for the Johnson County Historical Society Museum, Antique Car Museum of Iowa, and Hawkeye Model Railroad Club. n the mid-1980s, the City of and retail district that serves as a About the Iowa Coralville envisioned a better use gateway for Coralville, Iowa City, and Ifor its industrial park, a blighted the University of Iowa. The Iowa River River Landing and highly visible area of 160 acres Landing is home to the Marriott framed by the Iowa River, 1st Hotel and Conference Center, Hilton A former industrial park is Avenue, and Interstate 80. Homewood Suites, a University of transformed into a At that time, the industrial park Iowa Health Care clinic, Von Maur, offered a view of a truck stop, million- Backpocket Brewing, Trader Joe’s, community gateway gallon petroleum tank, adult dance boutiques, restaurants, trails, and entertainment establishments, museums, residential condominiums auto body repair shop, salvage yard, and office space, wetlands park, and waste hauling and transfer trails, sculpture walk, intermodal business. Concerns about perceived transit facility, and more—including and actual environmental the Iowa Arena. contamination, as well as a multitude The City has been recognized for of parcels and land owners, made leadership in brownfield redevelopment private reinvestment unlikely. at the state, regional, and national City leaders identified this area as levels for solving critical environmental a priority for economic redevelopment. challenges and transforming blighted Over the course of 30 years, through and contaminated areas into productive public and private partnerships, this new uses. The transformation of brownfield area has been transformed Coralville’s Iowa River Landing is into the Iowa River Landing: a the largest brownfields cleanup riverfront entertainment, residential, in Iowa’s history. SUMMER 2018 IOWA ARENA CORALVILLE CONNECTION 5 his project, developed in partnership with the State of Iowa and private investors, will be a significant milestone in achieving the community’s longstanding vision of a riverfront recreation Tand entertainment district along the Iowa River and as a gateway for the community. Located at the corner of E. 9th Street and E. 2nd Avenue, the Iowa Arena will be a multi-purpose facility with a single full-size sheet of ice for use by the University of Iowa club hockey team and Iowa City/Coralville youth hockey teams. A collaboration with a USHL or ECHL team is also under development.