County designers and family members presented a revised design for the Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson Plaza at a July 30 Johnson County Board of Supervisors work session, and supervisors indicated they are comfortable moving forward to final construction documents and cost estimates.
The design team from OPN Architects said the revised scheme moves the plaza slightly south of the building entrance, increases space around the sculpture, and replaces an earlier formal semicircular layout with a more informal arrangement of paths, planting beds and seating meant to connect the plaza with the nearby Veterans Memorial.
Project lead Zach Ryder of OPN Architects said the advisory group "made some revisions to the layout of the project" and described the changes as intended to provide "more space around the plaza" and better accommodate groups and interpretive signage. Ryder said the team received facility stamp approval for maintenance and adherence and that an updated cost estimate is higher than the version presented in March, but he did not provide a new total dollar figure at the meeting.
Family members attending told the board they are pleased with the design. A family member said, "we're pleased with where this has ultimately landed. So we're all good." Dr. Conard, speaking on behalf of the design committee, said the committee had reviewed several options and was "really happy with this line" of design.
Project next steps presented at the meeting include preparing formal construction documents and a final, detailed cost estimate over the next month to six weeks, soliciting contractors, and scheduling primary construction in fall and winter with potential spring planting if seasonal requirements dictate. The project team said the statue component is in final review and is expected to be completed in about a year.
The interpretive element will include three panels behind the sculpture covering Dr. Johnson's family, her years at the University of Iowa and her career in higher education; an additional three map-based panels being developed by University of Iowa researchers Ashley Howard and Colin Gordon and their assistant will interpret the Black community Dr. Johnson engaged with in the city between roughly 1925 and 1941. Presenters said Dr. Howard's team is funded through a grant and is absorbing the research costs.
Board members asked about relocating existing features at the site, such as a license-plate drop box and a mailbox; the presenters said staff had discussed relocation options and will include existing-access needs, including for elections, in the final site diagram. Supervisors asked to receive the final artwork and interpretive panel drafts by email and requested an opportunity to call a work session if concerns arise before panels are installed.
No formal vote was recorded at the work session. Supervisors expressed support to proceed with the revised design and for staff to advance construction documents, finalize a cost estimate, and coordinate installation timing with seasonal planting and interpretive production.