West Burlington / Burlington

West Burlington serves as regional hub and is home to the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Southeastern Community College, and regional retailers. Nearly 60 percent of the West Burlington Community School District's student enrollment is from outside of West Burlington. Residents have a strong, community-oriented nature with numerous multi-generational families. 

Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area, which includes West Burlington and Middletown Iowa, and Gulfport, Illinois. The first territorial capital of Iowa, Burlington was a bustling river port in the steamboat era and a central city to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The city has a strong manufacturing sector, though its largest employer today is the Great River Medical Center.

Burlington is home to the Burlington Bees, a summer collegiate team. Dubbed the Crookedest Street in America, Snake Alley is a tourist destination. Established in 1837, Burlington's The Hawk Eye newspaper is the oldest in the state.

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County
Des Moines

Projects

Overhead map

West Burlington - Downtown Streetscaping

Published
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026

The City of West Burlington sought an evaluation and redesign of its downtown area to enhance functionality and visual appeal, facilitate public events, attract visitors. For their capstone project, a group of Civil and Environmental students designed multiple components for the downtown area, including green medians, permeable paved roadways, covered parking, a pedestrian walkway, and reconfigured parking. 

old brick building

Burlington - Industrial Building Adaptive Reuse

Published
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

Several former industrial buildings are in close proximity to the central downtown of the City of Burlington. Currently unused, the city is seeking to revitalize the area and adapt the structures to new purposes. For their capstone project in Civil & Environmental Engineering, a trio of students designed an adaptive reuse plan for the Dial Soap Factory, a 1.28-acre site on a prime location.

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Burlington - Parks and Forestry Facility Design and Engineering

Published
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project, three senior Civil and Environmental Engineering students designed a Parks and Forestry facility that prioritizes energy efficiency, long-term durability, and architectural integration with the natural park environment in which the facility will be located.

lit up siren

Burlington - Risk Assessment

Published
Monday, December 9, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025
three young people in winter coats standing outside on a sunny day with an industrial site behind them.

Burlington - South Riverfront Park Redesign

Published
Monday, December 9, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project in Civil and Environmental Engineering, a team of students created engineering and design plans for a park to be located on a former industrial site. Located adjacent to the Mississippi River, the project had several obstacles, notably possible soil contamination and flooding. The team reviewed the site, selected amenities that worked with these challenges, and made recommendations for ways to incorporate the historic rail yard that formerly stood at the site.

Mural Painting in Burlington Alleyway

Downtown Burlington Alleyway Art

Published
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Art & Art History Ali Hval engaged the Burlington community to activate a prominent downtown alleyway with public art. 

group pic

West Burlington & Burlington - Arts and Culture Plan

Published
Friday, August 16, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs created the first comprehensive arts and cultural plan for West Burlington and Burlington, communities that share a border and strong sense of collaboration while maintaining distinct identities.

Shared Services Project Team

West Burlington & Burlington - Shared Services Study

Published
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

Master of Public Affairs students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs conducted a study for the cities of West Burlington and Burlington that explores opportunities for shared services, with a focus on providing efficient and cost effective services to their residents.  

Transportation Opportunity Plan Project Team

West Burlington & Burlington - Transportation Opportunity Plan

Published
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

Urban and Regional Planning graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs created a plan to address transportation barriers in Burlington and West Burlington, specifically for residents who face mobility challenges, such as lack of access to reliable transportation. 

push button for pedestrian crossing

West Burlington - Agency Street Trail Engineering and Design

Published
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project, students in Civil and Environmental Engineering designed a 10-foot wide trail that includes pedestrian cross improvements at several intersections. The trail will improve pedestrian safety and mobility for people traveling to and from essential shopping areas, schools, a medical center, senior housing, and recreation spaces. 

Overhead photo of vacant lot

West Burlington - Deery Subdivision Engineering and Design

Published
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their final capstone project, students in Civil and Environmental Engineering designed a site plan for a subdivision on a currently vacant property in West Burlington. The plans maximize the number of single-family homes that can be developed and includes a pocket park and trail.

Drawing of drainage plans

West Burlington - Luers Park Stormwater Drainage Engineering and Design

Published
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project, Civil and Environmental Engineering students provided analysis, recommendations, designs, and costs to address flooding in West Burlington's Luers Park. 

Roughly 80% of West Burlington's stormwater drains into Luer’s Park, which in turn flows into Izaak Walton Lake to the north. The lake is experiencing severe erosion and sedimentation build-up. Its current outflow structure is unable to discharge an adequate volume of water. 

row of young people with shovels and freshly tilled dirt

West Burlington - Pollinator Garden

Published
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025
During the fall semester, UI students enrolled in “Prairie Restoration” worked with the City of West Burlington to design and construct a new pollinator garden. 
 
This project provided an opportunity for students and city staff to learn together about the value of prairie plants, even in relatively small spaces such as the new garden they created. Prairie restorations provide much-needed habitat and food for songbirds, pollinators, and other native wildlife.
West Burlington Aerial photo

West Burlington GIS Data Development

Published
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Students in ICIGO created and mapped a wide range of data for the City of West Burlington using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to help local officials identify opportunities for community improvements.

Two young woman stand side by side. Both have long brown hair and are wearing black tops.

West Burlington Trailhead Park Design

Published
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Two urban & regional graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs worked closely with the West Burlington Trails Committee to design a unique and multi-faceted trailhead park at a prominent community location.