HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.17.2001 (2)COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 17, 2001
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry.
Moved by Berry, seconded by Jordan that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Dan Watters, Chairperson of Waterloo Development Corp., updated the council on the
Riverfront Renaissance Plan. Proposed projects include a 280,000 square foot indoor recreation
complex, a 15,000 square foot addition to the Center for the Arts, a riverside amphitheater and
river walk, an art mall with 60,000 square feet of new retail space, a rubber bladder dam and
possible dredging on the river and parking lots. The recreation complex includes a pool, an
indoor soccer facility and a sheet of ice. Mr. Watters stated that the city needs to attract and
retain 3,000 to 6,000 new workers over the next ten years. In order to attract these workers we
need to offer quality of life attractions for them. The parking lots include 600 parking stalls in
several locations. Mr. Watters stated that the Waterloo Development Corp. has requested $28
million, and the Vision Iowa Board has asked the Waterloo Development Corp. to procure some
of the retail that is required. Mr. Watters stated they will be meeting with Vision Iowa within the
next 30 days. The plan will require Black Hawk County, City and State funding.
Mr. Watters stated that bio-trade is something everyone would like to do, but the state does not
feel we have funds for the Agri -Trade Center. Deere would like the Agri -Trade Center here in
Waterloo. Mr. Watters stated it is critical that the project continues to move along as this project
will help the downtown and both sides of the river.
Councilperson Berry asked if the anyone has talked with the neighbors, and Don Temeyer, City
Planner, responded that there have been four or five meetings and the public has been invited.
Mr. Watters stated that we have to attract new employees and we need to bring the outdoors
indoors for five months of the year. If businesses don't flourish they will either leave the city or
close up. This plan will help the tax base grow. We need to change the downtown and change
its image.
Councilperson Berry asked what is happening with the rail system, and Mayor Rooff responded
the rail system is in place except for the UNI to downtown rail.
Mr. Watters reported that on January 21, 2002, he, Mayor Rooff and Bob Petersen will travel to
Washington.
Don Temeyer, City Planner, reviewed the Rath Brownsfield Area federal and state grants, the
amounts received, funds we have applied for and grants we have been invited to make an
application. The funding sources include: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Iowa
Department of Economic Development, Iowa Department of Transportation, FHWA, MPO,
HUD, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa Northern Regional Council of Governments.
The total amount of funds the city has received, made applications or been invited to make
application is $11,297,050.
Mr. Temeyer stated that as part of the 63 Study we will include the 4th Ward to see how we can
create economic development in that area. All of these items will reserve our tax base, housing
stock and create new tax base.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Berry that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk