Two blocks in downtown Iowa City, IA, were under construction this spring and summer as the city worked to upgrade underground utilities; increase the width of sidewalks; distribute parking on both sides of the street; enhance accessibility; create healthier planting areas; and modernize lighting, seating, and other amenities.
To reassure shoppers that the area is open for business, the Iowa City Downtown District organized interactive public art and hosted special events.
While the district is coordinating these activities, the city is providing financial support, as well as discounted parking and transit fares.
Geoff Fruin, Iowa City’s interim city manager, explains the strategy, “The businesses know the best ways to market to the community so we are helping provide resources and physical space and letting them go to work on their plan.”
The resulting public art project encourages passersby to select a brightly colored vinyl ribbon from a bucket and tie it to the chain link fence surrounding a portion of the work area.
Betsy Potter, operations director at the Iowa City Downtown District, says that the project has already proven a success. “The Downtown District has heard a lot of positive feedback about how many people are engaging with the project and how fun and simple it is,” she says.
More on activating city streets, filling vacant buildings, and improving parking, appears in the July issue of Downtown Idea Exchange. Click to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.