Clinton

In 2022-23, IISC has a full partnership with Clinton. University of Iowa classes will work on more than 20 projects, including histories and profiles of noted Clintonians, past and present; a housing needs assessment; a masterplan for use of a current undeveloped swath of land; and more. The city presented IISC with a rich array of potential projects and has strong leadership to help guide the process. IISC first collaborated with Clinton through the regional partnership with East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA). 

The projects span different departments and colleges. During the summer, UI School of Art and Art History visiting faculty Ali Hval completed a mural called "Keeping You Sewing." All year, a group of students from the School of Planning and Public Affairs are creating a development plan for Clinton's "Liberty Square," a vacant, grassy plat of land between Liberty and Camanche avenues. Students in Tippie's Marketing program are developing new branding materials for the city. Throughout the year, graduate students from the School of Library and Information Science will help to tell the story of Clinton's important role in the Underground Railroad. 

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County
Clinton

Projects

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Clinton - Eagle Point Park Campground Design

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, students will design a primitive and RV campground in the City of Clinton, IA.

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Clinton - Activating Downtown Alleyways

Students in a course in the School of Planning and Public Affairs developed recommendations for revitalizing Clinton's alleyways with improved pavers, public art, and other modifications.

Downtown alleyways often serve important functions, such as waste management or service entrances for businesses. However, communities are increasingly recognizing alleyways as opportunities to create unique public spaces while also improving water runoff.

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DART Outreach poster Clinton

Clinton - Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

As part of their graduate capstone project, Masters of Public Affairs students will work with the Clinton Substance Abuse Council, the Clinton Police Department, and other service providers to identify local, proactive strategies for addressing opioid addiction and abuse in the community.

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Clinton - Greening Downtown through Cycling

Students in a course in the School of Planning and Public Affairs developed recommendations to "green" downtown Clinton by improving opportunities for cycling.

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Clinton - Stormwater Utility Engineering Study

As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students created plans for a new stormwater utility to establish an equitable system to charge customers. 

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Clinton - Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Graduate students in Public Affairs will work with city officials to gain a better understanding of the drug misuse trends among youth in Clinton, Iowa. They will assist in the development of outreach and education initiatives and programs to better inform the public of the specific substance misuse issues, get the community involved with prevention initiatives, and help community members support those around them who may be struggling with substance issues.

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Clinton Housing and Homelessness Policy Recommendations

Students in a course in the School of Planning and Public Affairs developed recommendations to help address homelessness in Clinton. 

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Clinton Housing Needs Assessment / Housing Policy and Strategy

The City of Clinton seeks to update its Housing Needs Assessment, which was last completed in 2016.  A Housing Needs Assessment is a tool to help decision-makers ensure that existing and future residents can find safe, secure, and quality housing that meets their needs and budgets.  The assessment evaluates both housing needs and housing availability, typically determining the number and types of new units needed to accommodate needs, as well as other factors like vacancy, housing quality, rental needs, and more.  Housing Needs Assessments are useful to housing

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Clinton Riverview Park Festival Area Engineering and Design

Students in the College of Engineering's Civil Engineering area completed their undergraduate capstone projects with a focus on Clinton's Riverview Park. Because the park will be the site of a new festival that will bring a much larger number of visitors to the area than in the past, the City asked the team to develop plans to upgrade current facilities and add new fixtures that will better accommodate the park's evolving use.

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Clinton Trail Connectivity and Design

For their graduating capstone project, students in Civil and Environmental Engineering created a proposal for a new trail system aimed at cyclists and pedestrians that would connect downtown Clinton to its industrial quarter on the south side.

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High school students in a gymnasium at a celebration

Clinton Youth Civic Engagement

Students in a course in the School of Planning and Public Affairs examined ways to reignite Clinton's Mayor's Youth Commission. They made recommendations about this entity, as well as other ways to better engage teens in the civic fabric of the community.

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Grow Clinton Regional Marketing Strategy

Grow Clinton was established following the March 31, 2022 merger of the Clinton Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) and the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce (CACC). The mission of Grow Clinton is to promote business growth, build community, and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton, IA region.

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keeping you sewing mural

Keeping You Sewing Mural

Sean Tyler, a graduate student in the School of Art & Art History, collaborated with downtown Clinton officials and business owner Kim Rentz to design a mural that captures the character of both a downtown anchor business, Keeping You Sewing, and elements of Clinton's history and surroundings.  The "quilted" landscape, flowing away from the realistic sewing machine, showcase native Iowa flowers, the river connection, and Clinton's agricultural heritage. The mural was installed in August 2022.

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Master Plan for Clinton’s Liberty Square District

The City of Clinton seeks to revisit planning and strategies for use and development of the Liberty Square District, a section of mostly undeveloped land that runs between and adjacent to the split four lanes of Highway 30. 

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Vinnie's Lounge

Clinton- Downtown Building Renovation (Vinnie's)

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students completed an evaluation and redesign of the building that formerly housed Vinnie's Lounge in Clinton, Iowa. 

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Clinton- Downtown Parking Lots Redesign

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students will complete an evaluation and redesign of four parking lots in downtown Clinton, Iowa. 

The parking capacity needs to be evaluated through conversations with neighboring property owners and based on demand, in addition to exploring options for resizing the lots if necessary. Drainage, lighting, surface, plantings, and entrances/exits need to be reevaluated and redesigned to correct for inadequacies and meet professional standards. 

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Clinton- Former YMCA Building and Site Redesign

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students redesigned the old YMCA complex in Clinton, Iowa, including rehabilitation of the historic YMCA structure, demolition plans for an adjacent deteriorating structure, and designs for a new restaurant and entertainment venue.  

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Amphitheater Rendering

Clinton Sawmill Museum Amphitheater Engineering & Design

As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students created designs for an outdoor Amphitheater in Clinton, Iowa.

The Sawmill Museum in Clinton Iowa has requested a design proposal for an outdoor amphitheater with an accompanying stage and pavilion. The four blocks to the north and northwest of the museum are available for construction of the project. Additionally, a second UI engineering project team has designed an Event Center on the Museum's property. 

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Clinton Sawmill Museum Event Center Engineering & Design

As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students created designs for an Event Center in Clinton, Iowa.

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