Coralville Courier

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Whether you're a lifelong resident of the Corridor area, a University of Iowa student, or just visiting the area, you've come to the right place if you're looking for information about lodging, dining, activities, finding a good mechanic, a lawyer and otherwise in the Metro area! Looking for a refreshing dinner experience? Find a restaurant that intrigues you in Metro Pursuit. Have some relatives coming into town and need some entertaining ideas? Find some in Metro Pursuit. Need to move? Find a house or apartment to your liking in Metro Pursuit. Serving the entire Corridor and the metro areas of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, Riverside, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion and surrounding communities!

Partial trail closure at Waterworks Prairie begins June 4, 2020

A part of the trail at Waterworks Prairie Park from Manitou going North to I-80 will be closed Thursday, June 4, 2020.

The closure will allow for work related to MidAmerican Energy pole replacements to be completed.

The work on the trail is expected to be completed the same day. 

Today's Weather Outlook for the Corridor

Today's weather forecast and a four day outlook.  Check this page for the latest weather reports in the corridor area.  Up-to-date weather conditions for the Iowa City area are observed at the Iowa City, Iowa City Municipal Airport, IA.  For weather conditions specific to other cities outside the corridor area, just type in your zip code below.

Type in your zip code for your weatherecast

 

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EDGEWOOD ROAD NW LANE REDUCTIONS

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Effective Thursday, June 4, 2020, Edgewood Road NW will be reduced to one lane each direction between Amanda Court / Iris Avenue and F Avenue for pavement restoration. Work is expected to take five (5) days, weather permitting.

Speak Up, Speak Out at events throughout Iowa City neighborhoods

IOWA CITY -- The recent killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police has sparked protests across the nation, and in Iowa City. 

City leaders want to hear from you at our Speak Up, Speak Out series of events in neighborhoods throughout the community.

Mayor Bruce Teague and other community leaders will speak at three separate events at three different locations over the next four days across Iowa City. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to have their voice heard by city leaders and the community. 

• 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Drive
• 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2020 at Pheasant Ridge, outside the Neighborhood Community Center, 2651 Roberts Road
• 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Mercer Park, 2701 Bradford Dr. 

All in attendance are strongly encouraged to wear cloth masks or face shields, and should maintain social distance at all times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

ICPD take report of inappropriate interaction near 7th Ave Ct.

IOWA CITY -- It was reported that on Sunday, May 31, 2020, at about 5:00 p.m., a suspicious male in a vehicle approached a female child who was walking in an alley near 7^th Avenue Court and asked inappropriate questions. The child ran away and was not physically harmed.

The suspicious person is described as a white male (unknown age) with brown hair, having facial stubble. He was driving a red sedan.   

The Iowa City Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspicious male and/or vehicle. Anyone with information or possible video is asked to contact Investigator Gabe Cook at 319-356-5276. 

Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information about this incident that leads to an arrest. Crime Stoppers tips can be submitted via the P3 Tips app, online at iccrimestoppers.org, or by phone at 319-358-TIPS (8477). All tips and calls are held in strict confidence and anonymity is guaranteed. Individuals providing information are not required to reveal their identity to collect a reward.

Library to begin Curbside Holds Pickup on June 4th

IOWA CITY -- Curbside Holds Pickup Coming Soon

Beginning June 4th, the Iowa City Public Library will offer Curbside Holds Pickup service. Curbside Holds Pickup will first be available for those with materials already on Hold. Community members with Holds currently available have the option to sign-up for a scheduled time for Curbside Holds Pickup or request their items be sent to their home via US Mail. Curbside Holds Pickup will be offered Mondays-Fridays 3:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. These times may change as the service develops.

Cardholders with Holds ready for pickup may indicate their preference by responding to an email the Library will send, by calling the Library at 319-356-5200 or via chat or email at www.icpl.org/ask. Although the Library building is currently closed, the Library is staffed to answer telephone, email and chat questions Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Director Elsworth Carman says, “Iowa City Public Library leadership continues to see staff and patron safety as our top priority, and our curbside pickup model will reflect this.  We are delighted to begin connecting our patrons with materials again in a way that minimizes contact and allows us to quarantine materials between uses.”

While the Library is closed to the public, Curbside Holds Pickup is a way staff can checkout materials to the community. The Bookmobile will remain closed until further notice. All due dates have been moved to July 15, 2020 and in-person Library programs and events are cancelled through August 15, 2020.

Iowa City Public Library staff continue to provide programs and services online and over the phone during operating hours with a variety of virtual programming options available. Director Elsworth Carman adds, “We want to thank patrons in advance for their patience and flexibility as we establish new workflows and practices.”

Parking spaces in the front of the Library will be converted to 10-minute parking. Beginning June 4, these spaces may only be used for Curbside Hold Pickup. People who have been parking in front of the Library are kindly reminded these spaces are converting back to Library use. Downtown parking garages offer one hour of free parking and may be used for community members to walk-up to pick-up Curbside Hold materials.

Trail adjacent to Scott Park will be closed for street maintenance

IOWA CITY -- A portion of a trail crossing will be closed beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2020 for maintenance. 

Public Works will be conducting street repairs on Scott Boulevard Wednesday through Friday, weather permitting. The trail crossing of Scott Boulevard will be closed during this time. 

Work should last approximately three days if weather cooperates. Access to the park and Rita’s Ranch Dog Park will be maintained from the north on Scott Boulevard.

Update: Coralville Curfew Continues; Begins at 9:00 pm

The curfew in Coralville will continue on June 2, 2020, by proclamation of Mayor John A. Lundell. The curfew start time has been adjusted. Curfew will begin at 9:00 pm and continue until 6:00 am.

Law enforcement agencies will enforce the curfew. Pedestrian and vehicle movement, standing, and parking are prohibited during those hours unless traveling to and from work and home, or providing emergency response calls.

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Posted June 1, 2020:

Following looting and attempts at looting overnight at businesses throughout Coralville, a curfew will be in effect in the City of Coralville from 8:00 pm until 6:00 am, effective immediately.  

Law enforcement agencies will enforce the curfew. Pedestrian and vehicle movement, standing, and parking are prohibited during those hours unless traveling to and from work and home, or providing emergency response calls.

“We at the City of Coralville recognize and support the rights of citizens to demonstrate and protest, and stand with those peacefully doing so in sadness and anger over the death of George Floyd,” said Mayor John Lundell. “We also recognize that vandalism and violence are damaging to our community, as they are to other cities across the country. To protect our citizens, businesses, and public safety personnel, we will impose and enforce this curfew until further notice.”

Cedar Rapids City Council Announces Lift Up Local Promotion

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – To encourage support of local restaurants and retail businesses, Mayor Brad Hart and members of the Cedar Rapids City Council are offering 150 residents the chance to win a $25 Visa gift card as part of their new “Lift Up Local” promotion.

For the chance to win a gift card, Linn County residents must spend at least $25 at Cedar Rapids restaurants between Tuesday, June 2 and Monday, June 22, 2020 and email a photo of their receipt(s) to LiftUpLocal@cedar-rapids.org, along with their name and address. Winners will be chosen at random to receive a $25 gift card.

“Local businesses are struggling, and we want to do everything we can to support them and encourage residents to support them as well,” said Hart. “We hope winners will use their gift card to help pay for their next meal out at a local restaurant or visit to any Cedar Rapids business.”

The Lift Up Local promotion is funded by Hart and members of the Cedar Rapids City Council, with matching funds donated by Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust.

In order to qualify, submitted receipts must total at least $25 and be from restaurants located within the City of Cedar Rapids Iowa. Each submission containing receipts totaling $25 or more from a Cedar Rapids restaurant or restaurants dated between June 2 and June 22, 2020 qualifies as one entry. Citizens may submit multiple entries to receive more chances to win, but winners are limited to one gift card per person. Winners must be 18 years of age or older and reside within Linn County Iowa.

Entries can also be mailed to: City Hall, Attn Mayor Hart, 101 First Street SE, Cedar Rapids IA 52401. Entries must be received or postmarked by 11:59 pm on Monday, June 22, 2020.

Gift cards will be mailed to 150 random winners by July 10, 2020.

Streamlined Permit Process Supports Outdoor Service Area for Retail

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – To support commercial business' ability to serve patrons while also following social distancing guidelines, the City of Cedar Rapids has created a streamlined process to allow temporary outdoor service areas on private property and public sidewalk areas. This would apply to establishments such as restaurants, bars, retail, and fitness centers. Examples of outdoor services could include patio dining or merchandise display.  

Businesses interested in the use of temporary outdoor service areas now have access to a simplified and streamlined approval process; applicants can receive one permit good for the rest of the year, rather than for a limited number of days or occurrences. The process builds off the 2019 zoning code update, which now allows outdoor services in a greater number of zoning districts, where previously businesses would have needed additional approvals from the Board of Adjustment.  

“We recognize the many hurdles businesses are facing as they reopen while addressing health concerns related to COVID-19,” says Community Development Director Jennifer Pratt. “Cedar Rapids wants to make it easier for businesses to creatively practice social distancing, and we’re committed to helping streamline processes so retail and restaurant owners can safely reopen.”  

There is no fee for processing this outdoor service application; standard permitting and fees apply to alcohol licensing. The permit would expire December 31, 2020. 

Interested businesses can complete an Outdoor Commercial Services permit application online: https://bit.ly/3gMlNIi. For questions, please contact the City’s Development Services Division by calling 319-286-5836 or by emailing zoning@cedar-rapids.org.  

Participating businesses are responsible for the following: 

·         ADA accessible routes between parking, services, and restrooms will be maintained.

·         Combined occupancy of the new outdoor area and existing building does not exceed the original total occupancy of the building.

·         Minimum number of parking spaces including ADA accessible spaces are provided if private property is used.

·         Liability insurance is provided if the public right-of-way is used.

·         Businesses need to follow all State guidelines on sanitation/limited capacity/social distancing.