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Council approves multiple infrastructure contracts, rezoning readings and economic incentives in March 25 session
Summary
A single‑day roundup: council approved a suite of resolutions and ordinances including bid awards for stormwater and downtown projects, advanced grading and river‑wall repairs, gate wells and clarifier work, multiple rezoning ordinances (first or final readings), and franchise fee increases for utilities.
At its March 25 regular session the Cedar Rapids City Council approved a broad set of infrastructure contracts, zoning readings and economic development incentives. Council took voice votes or moved to adopt resolutions for numerous items; below is a compact summary of key formal actions recorded on the agenda.
Votes at a glance (selected items adopted March 25):
- Adopted resolution approving Amendment No. 7 to the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area and authorization of a development agreement with Ingredion Incorporated to support a $48.5 million expansion (items 1–2). Motion by Councilmember Scott Olson; seconded by Dale Todd. Voice vote carried.
- Adopted resolution to initiate an RFP process for disposition of eight city‑owned parcels along 20 Second Avenue SW, preference for missing‑middle housing; proposals due April 25 (item 3). Moved by Tyler Poe; seconded by Overland. Voice vote carried.
- Adopted resolution to initiate RFP for parcels at 1417 and 1423 Ellis Boulevard NW (item 4). Motion moved by Tyler Olson; seconded by Hager. Voice vote carried.
- CDBG‑DR mid‑project status updates provided for Artesia Bell Drive (Roots program) and 0 Avenue NW multifamily project (item 5); no vote required.
- Approved first reading of ordinance rezoning the Cedar Crossing casino site to a Planned Unit Development (item 6); first reading passed by voice vote; second and third readings scheduled for April 8.
- Approved first reading of multiple other rezoning ordinances and development items including: Edgewood Partners (downzoning to Light Industrial, item 7), Williams Boulevard rezoning for proposed retail (item 8), other Stony Point and suburban residential rezonings and plats (items 9–11). City Planning Commission recommendations were referenced where applicable; most went forward on first reading and will return for subsequent readings.
- Adopted resolution authorizing plans and contract for the Advanced FCS grading, utility and concrete repair package (river wall, storm‑sewer relocations, Shaver Road repairs) estimated at $1.96M (item 11). Motion carried.
- Adopted resolution authorizing the 2025 transit stop improvements project, estimated at $190,000 (item 12). Motion carried.
- Reported bid results and approved awards or directed follow‑up on several construction packages: D4 clarifier rehabilitation (bids received; low bid $2,546,360 — staff evaluating; item 30), Fifth Avenue SE gate well and pump manhole (low bid reported; state concurrence pending because of FEMA funding; item 31), downtown temporary parking lot (award to low bidder Rachi Construction, $160,256.75; item 32), Tenth Street NW box culvert cross‑connection (low bid $1,797,101.29; item 33), 2025 stormwater basin maintenance (low bid $272,797.77; item 34), Waconia Avenue railroad crossing pavement replacement (low bid $243,174.70; item 35). Many of these were approved by council motion or will be returned for formal award pending grant or state concurrence where noted.
- Adopted resolutions authorizing community benefit economic development incentives: a 15‑year rebate for Ginkgo Ridge LLC’s affordable housing project on Summit Avenue SW (item 36) and a standard 10‑year, 50% incremental tax rebate for DC Taylor Company’s new national headquarters at 12th Street and 20 Ninth Avenue SW (item 37). Both motions carried.
- Ordinances increasing franchise fees for Interstate Power & Light (Allied Energy), MidAmerican Energy (natural gas), and Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative from 3% to 4% were approved on second readings and then adopted on third readings after suspension of the three‑reading rule (items 38–40). Additional code updates and urban revitalization area establishment ordinances were also approved on second and third readings where noted (items 41–43).
Council handled a full consent agenda and then moved through the regular agenda, taking the votes summarized above; motions were typically recorded as moved, seconded and carried by voice vote unless a roll‑call or formal tally was requested for a particular contract award.
