Mercer Park Aquatic Center closed during construction

City suspends 4th of July fireworks; announces updates on City pools

Friday, May 22, 2020 - 8:45am
Contact: 
Geoff Fruin

Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, the City has suspended its 4th of July fireworks display for 2020.

The decision comes in collaboration with the Summer of the Arts, whose annual Iowa City Jazz Festival is held in unison with the City's fireworks display.

Summer of the Arts has announced a series of program changes to their list of summer events to ensure their programing continues during the pandemic. Those changes include:

Virtual programming for the Iowa Arts Festival, June 5-7, and the Jazz Festival, July 3-5. Drive-in movies at the Iowa City Municipal...
A LGBTQ Pride banner is shown in Iowa City.

Pride banners going up throughout Iowa City for Pride Month

Friday, May 22, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers

In celebration of the 50th Iowa City Pride anniversary and Pride month, The City of Iowa City will be displaying Pride banners along Washington Street, Wade Street, and Williams Street in the month of June. A Pride Flag will also be hung on the flagpole in front of City Hall for the month of June.

The national tradition of celebrating Pride in June is a tribute to the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, when New York City police raided a gay bar, sparking six days of protests which are remembered as the launch of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

The following year, the...

Community Connection: Community Foundation of Johnson County makes an impact during pandemic

Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 7:00pm
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: Community Foundation of Johnson County

Community Connection is a video series that highlights community response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Mayor Bruce Teague speaks with Shelly Maharry, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Johnson County, about how the organization is helping lift up our area nonprofits during these unprecedented times.

For all Iowa City COVID-19 news updates and resources, visit...

Graphic advising people to stay at least six-feet away from people while in public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor reopens movie theaters, museums, more with restrictions

Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 8:45am
Contact: 
Derek Frank
Police

The Governor has ordered that movie theaters, museums, and more businesses or facilities may reopen, with restrictions, in Iowa City and Johnson County starting at 5 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2020. Businesses are required to follow specific guidelines in order to reopen.

The full list of businesses allowed to reopen with restrictions are:

Movie theaters Museums, aquariums, zoos Swimming pools

Gatherings of 10 or more people are still prohibited until at least Monday, June 1, 2020. The following events may have more than 10 people, according to the latest order include:...

A graphic about how to handle water pipes in homes that have been vacant for a long time.

Facilities with long-term closures encouraged to flush water pipes prior to reopening

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - 8:30am
Water

The City of Iowa City’s Water Division encourages property owners to flush their plumbing following extended closures. This guidance pertains to commercial buildings, apartments, and private residential properties, and is recommended to help maintain water quality.

Flushing water lines moves fresh water into your plumbing, displacing any water that has been sitting in the pipes during the closure.

The following steps can be taken for smaller, basic building plumbing systems:

Disconnect or bypass any point-of-use treatment equipment (i.e. filters or...

Community Connection: Think Iowa City helps local businesses navigate during the crisis

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: Think Iowa City

Community Connection is a video series that highlights community response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Mayor Bruce Teague speaks with Josh Schamberger, President of Think Iowa City, about how the organization is working to help businesses navigate the process of operating during a pandemic.

Community Connection will typically...

Public art in downtown Iowa City is shown.

Public Art Matching Fund Program now accepting applications

Monday, May 18, 2020 - 2:00pm
Neighborhood Outreach

The City of Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) announces the availability of matching funds up to $2,000 for public art projects. Funded through the Iowa City Public Art Program, visual, audio, or performance-based art such as sculpture, murals, performances, readings, interactive exhibits, video projections, soundscapes, spoken word, and other mediums, will be considered.

To be eligible, proposals must be for projects created by Iowa City artists that will be publicly accessible and viewable within Iowa City's city limits. Art may be displayed or performed on private...

Chauncey Parking Ramp

City to resume normal rates and enforcement at parking decks, street meters beginning Monday, May 18, 2020

Friday, May 15, 2020 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Darian Nagle-Gamm
Transportation

Starting Monday, May 18, 2020, the City will resume charging hourly rates for parking in City parking decks, as well as metered parking.

Since March, the City has waived hourly fees for parking in its parking decks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of most downtown businesses. In response to the reopening of businesses, the City will return to normal parking operations.

Normal rates for parking decks will return at 7 a.m. Monday. Any vehicles that have been parked overnight in parking decks should be removed immediately to avoid accruing parking fees.

The...

Community Connection: Parks and Recreation Department offers alternative programming during pandemic

Friday, May 15, 2020 - 8:15am
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department

Community Connection is a video series that highlights community response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Mayor Bruce Teague speaks with Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. Learn how the department is making adjustments to provide at-home programming and offer a contact-free Farmers Market....

City recognizes Peace Officers Memorial Day, National Police Week, with video tribute

Friday, May 15, 2020 - 7:30am
Police

Each year, police from throughout the Iowa City area gather together for a Police Officers Memorial Da program to remember peace officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional in-person ceremony has been cancelled.

Instead, the City has created a tribute video to honor police who have lost their lives, and to those who still serve today. The video features Police Chaplain Josh Tilley, Interim Chief of Police Bill Campbell, Mayor Bruce Teague, and Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan.

On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Mayor Teague...

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