HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-03 Council minutesr
d, CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 12, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Grace, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, November 3, 2025 — 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in Emma J Harvat Hall
Council: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague, Weilein
Staff: Fruin, O'Brien, Lehmann, Goers, Grace, Caro, Seydell Johnson, Nagle-Gamm,
Knoche, Harland, Hightshoe, Kilburg
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
1. University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates
No updates.
2. Clarification of Agenda Items
Mayor Pro Tern Salih thanked staff for adding the Iowa City Housing Authority Waiting List
Counts to the Work Session agenda.
3. Information Packet Discussion [October 23, October 301
➢ October 23
1. (IP2 — Library Board of Trustees: September 25) Councilor Weilein asked for
additional information regarding the HVAC system's potential replacement. City
Manager Fmin provided information.
➢ October 30
1. (IP6 — Memo from Grant Specialist: American Rescue Plan Act Update) Councilor
Harmsen highlighted the memo and noted the collaborative process with Council
colleagues, City staff, and members of the community.
4. Burlinaton Street Bridge Update
Michael Kurek, HDR consultant engineer presented a PowerPoint on the year -long planning
study for the Burlington Street Bridge and surrounding corridor. The presentation covered
the following:
Project Purpose and Scope
• The eastbound bridge (city -owned) is about 100 years old and near the end of its life
cycle.
• The study examined:
o Replacement of both bridges.
o Intersection and roadway geometry improvements.
• Pedestrian and ADA compliance issues.
o Dam safety and potential modifications.
o Effects on surrounding infrastructure (Melrose, Riverside, Byington, etc.).
November 3, 2025
Page 2
Engagement and Process
• Stakeholders included the City, Iowa DOT, MPO, and University of Iowa (decision -
making group), plus working groups, one-on-one meetings, and public outreach.
• 550+ survey responses gathered on function, aesthetics, and construction impacts.
Alternatives were screened against project needs, wants, and constraints (budget,
constructability, environmental impacts).
Key Findings and Preferred Alternatives
1. Burlington Street Bridge
• Chosen alternative: a traditional beam bridge.
• Selected for cost efficiency, constructability, and ability to maintain traffic and pedestrian
access during construction.
• Features:
o Separated lanes for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
o Improved bike/ped connectivity and river views.
• Aesthetic details and exact design to be refined in later stages.
• Ownership:
o Eastbound bridge — City, Westbound bridge — DOT,
o Pedestrian ramp/bridge — shared (City, DOT, University),
o Dam —University.
2. Burlington Street Dam
• Evaluated options from do nothing to complete removal.
• Advancing a safety modification alternative with potential fish passage and recreation
features (e.g., a small surf or tubing area).
• Benefits:
o Improves dam safety and river access.
o Maintains water levels critical to the city's water supply and university power plant.
o Preserves floodplain and potential historic character.
3. Riverside —Burlington Intersection
• Second highest -traffic intersection in Johnson County.
• Selected option: grade -separated pedestrian/bike crossing under Burlington Street, with
both below -grade and al -grade options for flexibility.
• Improves safety, transit reliability, and traffic flow while maintaining river access.
• Options for a new ADA-compliant ramp include straight, switchback, or spiral designs.
4. West Campus Area (Byington— Grand —Melrose)
• Focused on emergency response and traffic flow.
• Proposed:
o Remove the Grand Avenue/Byington intersection,
o Create a pedestrian plaza and centralized bus hub,
o Make Byington a three -lane roadway with dedicated turn lanes for hospital and
parking access.
• Aims to reduce pedestrian -vehicle conflicts and improve wayfinding.
Next Steps
• Finalize renderings and visuals later this year.
• Environmental clearance expected spring 2026.
• Move into preliminary and final design afterward.
• Construction tentatively planned for 2029, coordinated with Iowa DOT to avoid
overlapping bridge closures.
November 3, 2025
Page 3
Other Notes
. Aesthetic and public art integration will be explored in future design phases.
S. Council updates on assioned boards, commissions, and committees
No updates.
Adjourn 4:47 p.m.