[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6071009,"mediaKeyId","3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b","parentId",3048360,"title","Council reviews two competing development proposals for 21 South Lynn; asks for clarifications before May decision","audioSeconds",547,"startMs",2101000,"endMs",2648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b&start=2101&end=2648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b/thumbnail_2101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071009/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Council-reviews-two-competing-development-proposals-for-21-South-Lynn-asks-for-clarifications-before-May-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071009-f0ff175f05df70baf3fe1b6a7b343af2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191854&Signature=Q7k7vPrRLghnFQf4ssTZ7-8Dgf8UEGRZJndcZaWLtKUNA0yE8q7UmmbuXwQh21x8n2eZdNczMFO1byOX036kCeuqEN~lyVqeEyvaYWrHoXfoZsZkCgTCgQexfKs9O7-82oXa4ze5m0dS0bLdcFEzxQ4~B6PIXrA50tILsH3mI8RtSefaCoZFki24QGdJrvFoUuHTGEmCNhRrUjVGZ73i5T4LR0bvr8VRNt6Vr2G1vpH6p0hVsdsvKlyaF6VMjMBdhlLQ1h6luAas7mGij~AqcwIvHzy~tnONp4g1rv8~pToNJdMrDTz79lQUfEagJvCHMlyqcXZ7ZpJjFt6Qm8MN3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iowa City ","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","City Manager Jeff Fruin updated the Iowa City Council on April 15 about two remaining responses to the city's request for proposals (RFP) for the city-owned 21 South Lynn property and councilors asked for additional written clarifications from each proposing team before any preferred-development selection.

Background and proposals

Fruin reminded the council the city purchased the parcel in February 2023 for $4,500,000. The city issued an RFP in September 2024 and received multiple proposals; two proposals remain after a team merge. Staff summarized the two concepts for council:

- Iceberg proposal (merged Salida Partners/Iceberg team): A 12-story, type IV mass-timber building designed to LEED Silver standards. The concept includes a two-story, roughly 15,000-square-foot museum space (Levels 2–3), a two-story, ~15,000-square-foot venue space intended for the Englert Theatre and an eating establishment, four micro-retail bays on the ground floor, office space on the fourth floor and eight stories of residential above. The team proposes 91 total residential units: 45 affordable units intended to use a 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) structure (presenters said 33 of those would be for seniors age 55+ and 12 without an age restriction) and 46 additional market-rate units. The team proposed a $2,000,000 purchase price for the site and requested gap financing via tax increment financing (TIF) of $9,000,000, projected to be rebated at 60% of increment over roughly 15 years in the team's pro forma.

- Grand Rail proposal: A mid-rise (presented as six stories with willingness to consider up to eight) type-II steel-frame project designed toward LEED Silver, with rooftop solar and full electrification proposed. The base submission included roughly 20 residential units with four guaranteed as permanent affordable units under the project's current proposal and a ground-floor entertainment or flexible retail space (about 6,300 square feet). The team proposed a $3,000,000 purchase price for the parcel and did not request gap financing (no TIF request).

Financial and policy issues discussed

Fruin presented staff estimates of total assessed values based on assessor conversations, showing an estimated total valuation difference between the concepts (roughly $21.5 million to $32.3 million in staff estimates) and a smaller gap in projected taxable valuation when current residential rollback rates are applied. Councilors asked about the longevity of affordability (LIHTC provides long-term affordability tied to tax-credit rules) and about whether senior-designated units would require separate HUD approvals; staff said the Iceberg team had identified an example in another state but warned that getting HUD approval for age-restricted units can be difficult and is not guaranteed.

Council direction and next steps

No formal selection, motion or vote occurred. Councilors confirmed they did not need to decide that night and asked staff to put clarifying requests in writing to both proposing teams with a clear deadline so the teams could update or confirm their financial and programmatic assumptions. Council direction to staff included:

- Ask Grand Rail to confirm or provide numbers for an eight-story alternative if they want the council to consider that variant; confirm their financials if unchanged.
- Ask Iceberg to clarify the LIHTC financing plan, the unit mix and bedroom counts for the affordable units, and provide a description of plan-B uses (how ground-floor venue or museum spaces could be repurposed if the Englert or Stories projects cannot occupy those spaces).
- Request both teams confirm or update financial assumptions given market changes and provide written responses in time to be included in the May 6 information packet; staff said May 6 would be preferred but, if necessary, May 20 would be the later option for council decision-making.

Council recusal and transparency

For the record, Fruin stated two councilors were recused from the 21 South Lynn discussion: Councilor Moe and Councilor Alter. Councilors and staff emphasized transparency and public engagement in the next phase.

The discussion did not include a development agreement or final terms. Staff told council the RFP stage yields conceptual proposals, and detailed terms—including any TIF structure, developer commitments and enforceable affordability covenants—would be negotiated only after council selects a preferred concept and team.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Iowa City Council Work Session of April 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed council on two remaining proposals for the city-owned 21 South Lynn site—a mid-rise Grand Rail concept and a taller Iceberg mass-timber concept—and council asked staff to request clarifying financial and affordability details from both teams ahead of May meetings.","taxTitle","Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa","taxId",4187,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071014,"Rotary-led Heart Safe campaign reports expanded AED network, encourages PulsePoint downloads",1057,529000,1586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b&start=529&end=1586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b/thumbnail_529000.jpg","/articles/6071014/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Rotary-led-Heart-Safe-campaign-reports-expanded-AED-network-encourages-PulsePoint-downloads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071014-0f728c4298d574e356e0c9e8abb1b552/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191854&Signature=BqkYRY~Vflp9dYlHHSpusORwrO-1rpBMxPvhKF3ba~fP8npXRYjQ4gQcKTrlJS5BiVNcPcxggFO22L9vkiPTDjGZUVWpjSrVhm2Cb4AquwYgy2shjlCRD69gVSnfyek~MdMeba97r6DAOmLc6g7MQNSmWMFl3D7fnEqPFycoTqSpG7rsv3JJh0vpfF9M9OZzGchO~B9emGvBXKEKkY~hoSC-CdFW4mnq2NQe11r8VjUrAkJhQMzjXrmv-kfg-M53J2HV1BOwDJIdMzi1Gqbqrg7~CY3y-CVfZ634YlWBSURjfyBaEA~e627JscCm4GRGf6qGxSn9UJaLlBozkCyWIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presenters from the Rotary Kerber Heart Safe Community Campaign updated Iowa City councilors on April 15 about efforts to expand bystander response to sudden cardiac arrest, reporting a dense AED (automated external defibrillator) network in Johnson County and urging residents to enable the PulsePoint app.

Presenters said Johnson County now has about 527 AEDs on record, approximately 50 of which are in 24/7 outdoor cabinets (the yellow cabinets described in the presentation). The presenters described a cost-sharing program: for qualifying nonprofits an AED plus cabinet is available for $500 (presenters said that represents a $2,000 retail value), small businesses $600, midsized businesses $750, and larger employers a $1,000 contribution.

They also described PulsePoint, a smartphone app that notifies enrolled users within roughly a quarter mile when dispatch identifies a cardiac arrest and can direct them to a nearby AED. Presenters said roughly 5,000 people in Johnson County are enrolled in PulsePoint as of the presentation and reported a 9% increase in downloads in the prior month. Presenters cited local survival and bystander-CPR statistics they described as above national averages: a bystander-CPR rate of about 70% (compared with roughly 40% nationally) and a survival rate they reported around 17% in Johnson County compared with about 8–9% nationally.

Presenters described library loan programs for CPR-training mannequins, plans to place outdoor AED cabinets at high-priority locations (parks, bus stops, apartment complexes, senior housing and recreation centers) and noted coordination with the Johnson County Ambulance Service and local municipalities. They urged residents to call 911, start hands-only CPR and, if necessary, obtain a cabinet code via dispatch to retrieve an AED. The presentation was informational; the council did not take formal action.","Rotary Kerber Heart Safe Campaign presenters told the council the county now has more than 500 AEDs, described PulsePoint app enrollment and urged council and residents to support AED placement, training and cost-sharing for nonprofits and businesses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071019,"University of Iowa student government says graduate-student visa revocations spurred support efforts",181,321000,502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b&start=321&end=502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6071019/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/University-of-Iowa-student-government-says-graduate-student-visa-revocations-spurred-support-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071019-f2704d082f76b5c09ac583d6bcf86ad3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191854&Signature=SGUVhsUojwYXs0Pcix9ga5ORlc~gzsMkBr~-9n0oQQgXN2ASbIxgOiSCC0cmSDPlaoFPmX~wnc2mpbYgMapGlcfaQpSNMT90ErwEH2R1yudZM5gphjQxj37cMu~eZ9tXuxJCpUhaqKPwL~8BdEn9qBgpI7jfrBa1uNdc2u-3zSNkwDywFExScVv7wiFNGX6hcGHHTFtEqQmFikEbx8CcYVrGbeGBx40XWdohuH7DLAJdGpUlcDzDsttRRnnrovWKpzpHZX2hsasncCNFlsliQKYOcGqrEASPtHIvsAUActy2SbpafnQuyZfJHDC9j1gHFFseoouophG9gjZg~bT-6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the University of Iowa Student Government told the council on April 15 that five graduate students had recently had visas revoked and that the student government was working to support affected students and communities.

The student-government speaker said the body was considering whether to issue a formal statement and was coordinating with justice and equity directors, the international constituency senator and campus cultural organizations. Student government staff had obtained and distributed \"red cards\"—informational cards that summarize immigrant rights—for students and cultural houses.

The representative also described upcoming events: a large Arbor Day tree-planting project on April 25 in partnership with a local environmental nonprofit (the Lena Project) to plant roughly 4,000 native trees and a multicultural organizations' formal scheduled for April 20. The representative characterized the campus mood as vigilant and supportive while the student government considers next steps. The item was a report; no action or vote was taken by the council.","A student-government representative updated councilors on recent visa revocations affecting five graduate students, distribution of immigrant-rights materials, and upcoming Arbor Day and cultural events.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071024,"Council proposes community-led review of mobile crisis program as ARPA funding nears end",66,130000,196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b&start=130&end=196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b/thumbnail_130000.jpg","/articles/6071024/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Council-proposes-community-led-review-of-mobile-crisis-program-as-ARPA-funding-nears-end","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071024-fe355fe59e5b2dabbe8f015d94253dd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191854&Signature=SL0xINfJtkhAiBdHBcUzVtikQE4RRAmM1B0s0xabHZNAPZrnrOt6B870PMQu1Gu6yRfFveTLlRpmLeXm7dvCz7LNPjEOUvHkzRF3PKYOKXRiss6Vrmo22hTXBBs3vFImhVJlES-fJAat7YjyyEVxgYrFUWcwGXQKkdrXbdVsSbklHihvpGmwSwaqRtfCXXObq-9JqOIx7qyKQcRLo4prZyqcSCjY9gBmRWyggPrONNy~7wVkgnXEbmgwIAYGzMkwRVFlCZnV0D0cS-n~q0Rv7AeB4o3sNWPDkuDBoAtyu6hLjbN~2tV0Oty-tNv9FiVD51PajilpeRoKG8CecfW~Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iowa City councilors asked staff during the April 15 work session to pursue a community-centered review of the city's mobile crisis response program, which has been funded in part with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and is nearing the end of that funding window.

Council members suggested two options: ask community providers to present directly to the council about how the program has performed or have city staff compile findings and present a staff report. Several councilors preferred hearing directly from community providers so residents and elected officials could hear firsthand how the program has worked in practice.

No formal direction to end or extend funding was made; instead councilors asked staff to refine the topic for a future work session and suggested scheduling the item for the next budget-related meeting if practical. Councilors noted the program has been operating for nearly three years under ARPA funding and that an evaluation would be timely ahead of funding expiration.","Councilors asked staff to arrange a community-centered review of the city's ARPA-funded mobile crisis response program and to schedule the topic for an upcoming meeting for public feedback.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071029,"Iowa City councilors warn permit totals lag targets as population projects grow",65,60000,125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b&start=60&end=125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048360-d506aefd41a5966d3885031c774dba4b/thumbnail_60000.jpg","/articles/6071029/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Iowa-City-councilors-warn-permit-totals-lag-targets-as-population-projects-grow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071029-18f62af9b76dca2497375a270a253f9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191854&Signature=RW~r9hgX9DOgvLyF2pjNzMnTUQr~iyaUGk7cE6ggycoQcWmqFFqWjEoSME3xUh5utzUFlUJBsCTHkuVDOa6-XKDdhShugsXarCJs5CmeksU4Jug59kIcOhIZYAyEWhA3N6m~1GhjGojJ2wFwkpPqraAwGpyceeHdpDUnXG7XHAorLf1j~zuxTEi43Mh8L6LenZrH2EAdf6YJF3bOMcE66drDHOb9iYbe05ust-LQHCfQoLoohwKmnmTNfUTu-7H74zLxABebdxNyU2XstNq8lw9TIa60TLGfSYsiykvgKdabqtNDYSuJyvrdwIF4X4fVdtfgdf-VeUAzk9G-EBF3kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iowa City councilors discussed March building-permit figures during the April 15 work session, noting 88 total permits for the month but only four for new single-family homes, duplexes or accessory dwelling units. Council members said the tally is well below levels the city will need if population forecasts hold.

Councilors referenced a projection presented during the comprehensive plan review that the community could grow from roughly 75,000 residents to about 95,000 by 2050. City leaders said the city would need roughly 364 new housing units per year to keep pace with that projected growth; current permit counts fall far short of that mark.

The discussion was limited to the information packet for April 3 and did not include a formal motion. Council members asked staff and fellow councilors to keep housing production and permit activity on future work-session agendas so the city can monitor whether proposals and policy tools are increasing housing production.

City staff did not present new policy changes during the session. No vote or formal action was taken; councilors indicated they expect further study and public engagement on housing supply as the budget and planning work continues.","Councilors reviewed March building-permit statistics and flagged a shortfall in new housing permits relative to the city's projected growth to 95,000 residents by 2050, urging housing to stay on the agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews two competing development proposals for 21 South Lynn; asks for clarifications before May decision

Rotary-led Heart Safe campaign reports expanded AED network, encourages PulsePoint downloads

University of Iowa student government says graduate-student visa revocations spurred support efforts

Council proposes community-led review of mobile crisis program as ARPA funding nears end

Iowa City councilors warn permit totals lag targets as population projects grow