September 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Iowa Downtown Conference SEIBUS Schedule in SE Iowa 227 S. 9 th Property for Sale SEIRPC Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser CEDs/LRTP Meeting Louisa County Trails Council Iowa Bicycle Map SERVICES: Transportation Planning Special Studies and Plans Land Use Planning Land Use Administration Project Management Community Development Ordinance Codification Grant writing & administration GIS Mapping and analysis Revolving loans for business Public transportation, van pools, employee transportation Housing development & rehabilitation Program management Economic Development Services The Iowa Downtown Conference SEIRPC has been involved in the evolution of downtowns in Southeast Iowa for over 20 years. Long ago, our downtowns were the economic heartbeat of the region. Manufacturing, retail, banking, services, housing all were found in the main street districts. Over time, business models, global economics, competition and consumer tastes changed. In the present time, southeast Iowa downtowns are coming back. New value has been found in the buildings, the beauty and the utility of the structures. Housing development through grant writing and technical assistance has been a strength of SEIRPC for years. Since the 1990s, SEIRPC has assisted over 230 downtown residential units be constructed or renovated in southeast Iowa. SEIRPC had a chance to tell these stories at the 2017 Main Street Iowa Conference in Sioux City last month. As part of the session panel Housing as a Game Changer, SEIRPC Executive Director Mike Norris joined main street directors from Dubuque and Marshalltown to give perspective on housing development downtown. Communication was emphasized in all aspects of development, from idea to final construction stages. Along with communication, identifying the partners needed was strongly emphasized. Main street directors from southeast Iowa also urged their colleagues to find their area Regional Planning or Council of Governmentsand work with them on funding and technical assistance. There are presently at least four potential downtown housing projects in idea, planning or funding stages. Talk to SEIRPC if you have a downtown housing idea! Call Dan Eberhardt:

2 SEIBUS SCHEDULE IN SOUTHEAST IOWA Did you know that there s a great transit option for getting around? SEIBUS (Southeast Iowa Bus) is available to the general Public in Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa Counties. Buses provide transportation Monday through Friday. Pick up timesvary beginning at 7:00 am in some areas. SEIBUS also provides a medical shuttle to Iowa City on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. If you have a medical appointment, would like to visit a friend or relative, need to go shopping, or need a ride to and from the Cedar Rapids airport, SEIBUS can provide the transportation you need. SEIBUS is recognized as a Southeast Iowa Transportation Provider for LogistiCare (Amerigroup) and Access2Care (AmeriHealth) and buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Drivers will assist with the use of mobility devices and wheelchair lifts as you board the bus. For scheduling or more information, including scheduling and fares, please call the SEIBUS office at or visit our website at SEIBUS is an equal opportunity employer, and is always looking for substitute drivers to help provide transportation for our community. Regardless of age, income, disability, race, gender, religion, or national origin, SEIBUS is ready to help you get to your next destination! For more information please call

3 September, 2017 This 1 ½ story, contemporary home built in 1903 and features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. With approximately 1,945 sq. ft. of living space, the roomsinclude: Family room Formal dining room Eat in kitchen New appliances Main floor laundry Other features include beautiful french doors and pocket doors. This home has a 1 car garage, nice yard, and spacious deck. Located close to shopping and schools. $79,000 Call Sara at

4 CEDs/LRTP Meeting The SEIRPC CEDs Steering Committee held its second meeting on Monday, August 28, at the SEIRPC office. This committee oversees the development of the 2017 update to our 5-year long range planning document, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDs) and Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). SEIRPC staff presented a broad snapshot of the 4-county region, using data that s been gathered on transportation, demographics, housing, and development trends. They also presented preliminary findings from the CEDs/LRTP public survey, as well as interviews conducted with local public and private stakeholders. The survey received a total of 300 responses, which exceeds the total of 275 from the 2012 CEDs update. Based on this input, some major strengths of our region include: safe and friendly communities, good medical facilities, minimal traffic congestion, and great natural amenities (including rivers and lakes). Major weaknesses include: lack of quality high-paying jobs, young people leaving to find work elsewhere, poor condition of local roads, and an aging housing stock. The survey also revealed some commonly held priorities for our region, including: creation and retention of jobs, upgrade to 4-lane highways north and east of Burlington, improve communications infrastructure in rural areas, and incentivize construction and rehabilitation of homes. The next step in the process will be to hold three subcommittee meetings, one for each of the three main topics addressed by the plan - transportation, economic development, and community development. Staff will present on data and public feedback pertaining to each topic, and engage with subcommittee members to outline a list of goals and objectives to include in the final plan. The results will then be brought back to the main Steering Committee for their review. Do you live in Louisa County, and also have an interest in recreational trails? If so, then the Louisa County Trails Council would love to have you as a member! Founded in 2012, the Trails Council is a non-profit organization that works to pursue and implement trails projects in the county, including both new construction and improvements to existing trails. They are presently looking for new members. If you are interested, you can contact Katie Hammond at , or lccb@lccb.org. Iowa Bicycle Map The Iowa Bicycle Map shows hundreds of miles of multiuse trails that pass through woodlands, prairies, and parks all highlighting the beauty of Iowa s landscapes. In addition, traffic levels are indicated for all paved roadways so bicyclists can choose the road routes that match their level of riding experience to enhance safety. View the online version Order your free copy of the Iowa Bicycle Map Front cover pictures feature the Flint River Trail including the Great River Bridge. Information highlighted on the back of the map includes trail maps of the state s largest cities; a summary of Iowa bicycling laws; information about 50 multiuse trails that are 5 miles or longer; cycling safety tips; and contacts, including websites, for additional information on cycling in Iowa. iowadot.gov

5 SEIRPC Staff (with years of tenure in 2017) SUSAN COFFEY, GRANT ADMINISTRATOR: (24 yrs) DAN EBERHARDT, REGIONAL PLANNER II: (18 yrs) MIKE NORRIS,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: (14 yrs) ZACH JAMES, PLANNING DIRECTOR: (12 yrs) JEFF HANAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: (12 yrs) SARA HECOX, GRANT ADMINISTRATOR: (12 yrs) CAROLYN LEES, TRANSIT SCHEDULER: (11 yrs) TRACEY LAMM, REGIONAL DEV. COORDINATOR: (10 yrs) DEBBIE LAUGHLIN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: (9 yrs) SHERRI JONES, PLANNING ASSISTANT: (9 yrs) GERALD HEUBNER, TRANSIT MAINTENANCE MGR: (9 yrs) LORI GILPIN, FINANCE DIRECTOR: (5 yrs) JARRED LASSITER, REGIONAL PLANNER: (2yrs) ROGER KELLER,TRANSIT DIRECTOR: (<1 yrs) KANSHA TIWARI, REGIONAL PLANNER: (<1 yrs) NICOLE IRELAND, PLANNING ASSISTANT: (<1 yrs)