Community invited to apply for Climate Action Grant

 Iowa City area organizations are encouraged to apply for the Community Partnerships for Climate Action Grant. 

The City Council approved $25,000 for this program, which aims to address and enhance local climate action through innovative work done in partnership between a community organizations. Projects can receive up to $5,000. 

This program is part of the City's continuing effort to promote environmental sustainability, a strategic priority of the City Council. 

To learn more, visit  icgov.org/climate-action-grant

Improvements coming to the Ped Mall

Roughly 100 people attended a public open house to learn about the future of the downtown Pedestrian Mall. 

On Friday,  July 28, 2017, consultants offered a brief presentation and answered questions on the Pedestrian Mall Improvements Project, which will upgrade infrastructure, accessibility, and the look and feel of the area. Improvements include new lighting, plantings and accent amenities that are intended to celebrate Iowa City's unique culture.

 Construction is anticipated to begin in 2018. 

Learn more by visiting, icgov.org/downtownstreetscape. 

ICPD sponsors youth RAGBRAI ride 

The Iowa City Police Department provided resources for seven kids and three adult chaperones to ride one day of RAGBRAI, the annual bicycle ride across Iowa that happens every July. 

The kids rode the Thursday route, 56.6 miles from Charles City to Cresco. The Police Department provided resources for a sag wagon, camping and meal. 

Participates are members of the Neighborhood Center of Johnson County’s Youth Off-Road Riders Cycling Program (YORR),which provides area youth with the coaching and community they need to engage in cycling. 

This trip is part of the Police Department's ongoing effort to foster relationships between youth, officers, and families. It is also part of a larger City initiative to encourage more people, especially youth, to ride bicycles.

Rummage in the Ramp diverts tons from the landfill...again!

Rummage in the Ramp 2017 was a success thanks to the many donors, shoppers and volunteers who participated in our eleventh annual event. 

Rummage in the Ramp is the City's annual reduce, reuse, and recycle event that occurs as leases change-over in Iowa City. People are encouraged to donate, instead of throw-out items ranging from furniture and housewares, to clothes and books. Profits raised benefit local nonprofits that volunteer to staff it. 

This year's event diverted 20.5 tons of items from the landfill, while raising more than $13,000.

Creative ideas pour in for Rummage ReDux Challenge

As apart of Rummage in the Ramp, the City hosted the first Rummage ReDux Challenge. Twenty-one participants transformed items found at Rummage and re-imagined them to be a range of functional and beautiful creations, all while competing for a $300 grand prize!  This years grand prize winner is Ivy Moore, with a beautiful shibori scarf.

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Upcoming Events

Farm to Street Dinner: Sold Out!

Tickets for the 2017 Farm to Street Dinner sold out in merely six hours. 

Tickets went on sale at midnight, July 1, 2017, and on Thursday, Aug. 17, folks will gather around a large, community table to share an evening of local food and fun, hosted by the City of Iowa City in partnership with the Downtown District and Johnson County.  

This special event brings the community together to enjoy a delicious six-course meal, using locally sourced ingredients prepared by some of our most talented chefs. 

Funds raised will support the Iowa Valley Global Food Project and the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Foundation. 

Climate Action Steering Committee Meeting

The City of Iowa City Climate Action Steering Committee will meet Thursday,  Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon in Emma Harvat Hall at City Hall, 410 E. Washington St. This meeting is open to the public. Members of the community interested in local climate action are encouraged to attend. 

For more information, visit  icgov.org/climate-action.

Sustainability Spotlight: Lucy Joseph

This month’s Sustainability Spotlight features Lucy Joseph, Iowa City's Code Enforcement Specialist.

As part of her job, Joseph works with the Iowa City Housing Rehab and the UniverCity Program. 

Through these programs, Joseph provides sustainable housing improvements for homeowners and renters in Iowa City.

Read more about her efforts at icgov.org/sustainability.         

4-STAR: In March 2016, Iowa City was awarded a 4-STAR Community Rating for sustainability excellence, by being formally certified in the STAR Community Rating System. STAR offers the nation's leading certification program in evaluating local sustainability, encompassing social, economic and environmental performance measures. Learn more,  www.STARcommunities.org.