Uptown Marion Main Street is asking for feedback through a survey to shape the future of the growing Uptown district.

The survey aims to gather insights into experiences, preferences and ideas for future improvements in the area. It will be open until Aug. 16. To participate in the survey, visit: polco.us/sbfmaa.

Two previous surveys provided insights that helped shape the district’s economic development boom and attract new businesses. Now, with many improvements in place, the new survey will help Uptown Main Street determine the next steps in the district’s future growth.

“We often hear people sharing their feelings on how Marion should move forward, and this is a perfect opportunity to let your voice be heard,” Ben Davis, owner of The Marion Chocolate Shop and Uptown Advisory Board president, said in a statement. “The Uptown Advisory Board, Chamber of Commerce, City of Marion staff and elected officials will review the data provided in these surveys and take it into account when making future planning decisions.”

The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential.

Public meeting will share information about solar project proposal

A public meeting will be held Wednesday to provide information about a solar project proposed to be built in Linn County.

Duane Arnold Solar IV LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, plans to file an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Iowa Utilities Commission for permission to develop a solar energy generation project southwest of Center Point.

NextEra has led development of two other solar projects in Linn County: Duane Arnold Solar 1, which produces 50 megawatts of electricity and was complete March 31; and Duane Arnold Solar 2, which will produce 150 megawatts, and will be operational by the end of the year.

Duane Arnold Solar IV would have the capability of generating and/or capturing up to 220 megawatts of energy and storing up to 180 megawatts. The Iowa Utilities Commission will decide whether to grant the certificate.

The Iowa Utilities Commission has scheduled a public information meeting to discuss the proposed Duane Arnold Solar IV project. The meeting is open to the public and will include project developers and representatives of the Iowa Utilities Commission. It will be held Wednesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. at Hawkeye Downs Expo Center, 4601 Sixth St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

Meeting attendees will be able to ask questions or make comments regarding the projects. Persons with disabilities requiring assistive services or devices to observe or participate should contact the Iowa Utilities Commission at (515) 725-7300 in advance of the scheduled date to request that appropriate arrangements be made.

A PowerPoint presentation will be presented at the information meeting, and additional information concerning the projects is available through the project website and Facebook page at www.DuaneArnoldSolar.com and Facebook.com/DuaneArnoldSolarIV.

In the event of inclement weather, the Iowa Utilities Commission will set a new date for the information meeting.

Marion project addresses safety at major intersection

Motorists are being encouraged to find alternate routes around the intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road in Marion after construction began there this month.

The intersection sees more than 35,000 vehicles daily, and the work being done will impact traffic. Initially, the outside lanes of Highway 100 in each direction will be closed.

During construction the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph. The traffic cameras in place at the intersection will remain operational, and have been adjusted to the changed speed limit. Also, city officials warn, fines double in the work zone.

The project, which will take about three months to complete, is intended to improve safety and traffic capacity at the intersection. The scope of work includes replacing traffic signals, adding eastbound and westbound left turn lanes, a new westbound right turn lane, and safety features like advanced warning signs to alert oncoming traffic that vehicles ahead are stopped.

The project is being funded, in part, by a $500,0000 grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Improvement Program. Find more information about the project at cityofmarion.org/enotify.

Cedar Rapids mayor part of prestigious city leadership initiative

Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell is part of the eighth class of mayors and senior municipal leaders participating in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

This yearlong professional management training program equips city leaders with the tools and expertise to “expand their problem-solving capacity, strengthen their city halls and improve outcomes for residents as cities confront increasingly global challenges,” according to a news release.

The 2024 class includes 39 mayors and 78 senior leaders from 11 countries across five continents. O’Donnell and Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen are among the 27 participating U.S. mayors and are the only participating mayors from Iowa.

The program is established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School. The program has trained 314 mayors and more than 540 senior city leaders across 33 countries and six continents since its launch in 2017.

“As national governments increasingly rely on cities to help them achieve their goals, there has never been a greater need for investment in the capacity of mayors and local leaders to do big things,” Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P. and 108th mayor of New York City, said in a statement.

“Our Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is designed to help mayors become more effective managers, build strong teams and learn from the successes of other cities. This diverse class of leaders come from 11 countries, and we’re looking forward to helping them deliver results for the millions of residents they serve.”

Clear Creek Amana to host active shooter training

The Clear Creek Amana Community School District is hosting an active shooter training exercise Friday, Aug. 2, from 8 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. at the high school, middle school, parking lots and west campus areas.

The training activity may look like a real emergency situation, but it is only a training exercise being coordinated by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release from the district.

There is no danger to anyone, but the school district asks the public to stay off campus during the trainings. This is a non-contact period for all schools across Iowa, so there are no scheduled camps, trainings, practices or activities scheduled the week of July 28 to Aug. 4.

The parking areas adjacent to Clear Creek Amana High School, 551 W Marengo Rd, Tiffin, and middle school, 311 W Marengo Rd, Tiffin, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the training. Trails near the school also will be closed during this time.

Highway 6 and Roberts Ferry Road will remain open but be prepared for possible brief traffic delays because of heavy law enforcement and emergency response vehicles participating in the exercise.

The City of Tiffin will post signs designating areas closed to the public.

The training exercise allows agencies to work together cooperatively and in close coordination with each other to prepare for community emergency response situations. Information collected from the training will be used by agencies to analyze response and strengthen multiple agency coordination.

Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool closed for maintenance

The Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool in Iowa City will be closed for scheduled maintenance beginning July 22. The pool is expected to resume normal operational hours Aug. 5.

The Robert A. Lee Pool and City Park Pool will be open during normal operating hours throughout the Mercer Park pool closure.

North Liberty officers honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving

North Liberty Police Officers Jeffrey McVey and Spencer Maddow were recognized as Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hero award winners through their work in enforcement and education about impaired driving laws.

MADD Iowa honored 37 officers who were nominated by people in their departments.

“These officers have devoted their enforcement efforts to saving lives through proactive traffic enforcement and public education thus making Iowa a safer place for all,” Todd Olmstead, Impaired Driving & DRE State Coordinator with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau said in a news release.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne, Grace King and Megan Woolard contributed.