Iowa City Fire Department responds to hazardous materials incident

Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 6:45pm
Contact: 
Lee Hermiston
Fire Department

At 2:31 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2022, the Iowa City Fire Department responded to the Hilton Garden Inn, 328 S. Clinton St., for a chemical spill in the lower level pool area.

Responding firefighters noted a chlorine odor upon entering the building and requested assistance from the Johnson County Hazardous Materials Response Team. Hazardous materials crews arrived at approximately 3 p.m. Crews were able to locate the chemical container and safely remove it from the building. The building was ventilated throughout the incident and turned back over to Hilton Garden Inn management at 5...

Summer of the arts logo

Road closures, bus detours announced for Iowa Arts Festival

Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - 2:30pm
Contact: 
Shannon McMahon
Communications

The City of Iowa City will be closing multiple streets Thursday, June 2, through Sunday, June 5, 2022, for the Iowa Arts Festival.

The annual art and music festival organized by the Summer of the Arts brings dozens of artists selling their work, many musical performances, and activities for the whole family. This year's event will take place in Downtown Iowa City from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June. 5, 2022.

Road closure and parking impacts

The following roads will be closed for the festival at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, and will reopen late night Sunday, June 5:...

A kid riding a bike is shown behind text: Pedal Power, Sunday, June 5, 2022, 1-3 p.m. Terry Trueblood Recreation Area.

Kids ‘Pedal Power’ Event to be hosted at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area on June 5

Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - 2:15pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

Join the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department for the second annual ‘Pedal Power’ event from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area (579 McCollister Blvd.)!

The event is free and no pre-registration is needed. Participants must have their own bike and helmet to take part in the event. Children’s bike helmets will be available for purchase for only $12. Bikes of all shapes and sizes are welcome, including Strider bikes and training wheels!

Bicycling is one of many wonderful ways for youth to experience an empowering sense of freedom...

Office of Equity and Human Rights to host virtual presentation, "Emancipation and Juneteenth"

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City's Office of Equity and Human Rights has partnered with the African American Museum of Iowa to host a free virtual presentation, "Juneteenth and Emancipation " from noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, more than 150 years ago. Due to the slow spread of information through the South, enslaved African Americans in Texas did not learn they had been freed until June 19, 1865 - more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In order to...

Video Update: Iowa Arts Festival, Party in the Park, and more

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 7:30am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs, and events. Topics this week include the Iowa Arts Festival, the weekly Party in the Park series, and some convenient ways to keep involved with the Iowa City Public Library over the summer. Select the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Iowa Arts Festival Iowa Arts Festival

Summer of the Arts is...

City of Iowa City logo

Iowa City soliciting applications for HOME-ARP projects

Friday, May 27, 2022 - 1:00pm
Neighborhood Services

The City of Iowa City is now accepting applications from organizations for the use of federal HOME-ARP funds to address the needs of households experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.

Applications will be accepted online beginning May 27, 2022, with a due date of noon, June 14, 2022. Organizations can apply for HOME-ARP Funding at icgov.org/actionplan .

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”) appropriated $5 billion to communities across the U.S. to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals...

A basket of tomatoes is shown next to text: Speaking Of...Local Food.

“Speaking of” series features Local Foods discussion June 21; join the online conversation!

Thursday, May 26, 2022 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Jane Wilch
Resource Management

It’s summertime in Iowa. Local growers are hard at work, the stalls at the Farmers Market are hopping, and the question on many minds is "what will ripen next?" It’s a near embarrassment of riches: bunches of garlic scapes, baskets of tomatoes, ears of sweet corn by the dozen!

There are many reasons to be excited about local food, including those from a climate action and resource management perspective. Join Recycling Coordinator Jane Wilch and Climate Action Coordinator Sarah Gardner for a lively discussion of local food resources, opportunities, and challenges.

As with...

Iowa City Parks and Recreation kicks off Summer Events with Party in the Park on Thursday, June 2

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 4:15pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to celebrate summer and kickoff a season of fun with community activities at the first Party in the Park of the year. This event will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022, at James Alan McPherson Park, 1858 7th Ave Court.

The annual Party in the Park series runs each Thursday evening from June 2 through August 18. Party in the Park events are held at a different Iowa City park each week. In addition to a rotating musical act, Party in the Park features lawn games, craft activities, and a visit from the...

Area youth honored at 19th Annual Human Rights Youth Awards Ceremony

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 3:45pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Human Rights Commission recognized 24 area youth at its 19th Annual Human Rights Youth Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Students were selected for recognition based on their promotion of - or contributions to - human rights causes locally or abroad. Mayor Bruce Teague delivered brief remarks to the recipients in recognition of them being honored.

The complete list of recipients is: Neema Mali Ash, Kai Babcock, Mae Barron, Karla Bernal, Gary Chen, Jonathan Chen, Henry Dai, Liam Edberg, Florence He-Yu, Lydia Karr, Krisha Kapoor, Reem Kirja, Anish Lodh, Anjali Lodh,...

Human Rights Commission seeking applicants for open seat

Monday, May 23, 2022 - 12:45pm
Contact: 
Lee Hermiston
Equity and Human Rights

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is seeking applicants to fill an unexpired term. The vacancy starts upon appointment and ends on December 31, 2023. Service is on a volunteer basis. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Duties of the Commission involve educating the public on civil and human rights, including planning programs and activities to eliminate unlawful discrimination. The Commission also makes recommendations to the City Council for Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant funding, as well as for additional local legislation relating to...

Pages