A student in Cinematic Arts will undertake this promotional film for Bondurant. 

Bondurant has been very successful in bringing new businesses to the area, not the least being a massive Amazon fulfillment center that employs more than 2,500 people. As the city continues to grow, how does it not only continue this pattern of success but become more intentional about the kinds of businesses that are needed and desired by the local population? Students in a public affairs class will consider these questions and make recommendations based on cities that have a similar growth trajectory. 

In recent decades, other cities in Iowa and the Midwest have experienced similar fast growth to what is now occurring in Bondurant. When a city is growing this quickly, it can often be difficult for decision makers to have adequate time to make informed decisions; they are too busy keeping up with the cycle of growth. For this project, students in a public affairs class will look toward other cities that experienced fast growth and the lessons they learned.

As more newcomers join the Bondurant community, its civic leaders are eager to engage them in local activities, planning for the future, and understanding the area's past. Students in a public affairs class will look to best practices in other communities for engaging the community through various forms of communication and events.

Bondurant is seeking ways to engage its local population in local government processes. It has asked students in a public affairs class to consider ways to help citizens understand taxes and the city's budget, both of which are essential tools for running the community and expressing the city's values and goals. Students will consider options ranging from short videos and podcasts to inserts and radio campaigns. They will seek best practices from other communities that have successfully educated their populations on the uses, development, and purpose of these tools.

How can Bondurant make its existing properties, including buildings and land, as sustainable as possible? This question is at the heart of a project led by Masters of Public Affairs students as they consider options for the city to increase green buildings, solar panels, wind, and other sustainable features that can be added to Bondurant's growing civic infrastructure.

The City of Bondurant currently relies on Polk County for public safety needs, including for crime, fire, animal control, and other calls that could potentially be received by a city police department. With its current growth rate in mind, Bondurant has tasked students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs to consider the need for and feasibility of a city-led department. In addition to assessing current and future needs, the team is researching options that are proving successful in other similarly sized communities, including greater funding to social service providers.  

Faculty researchers and University of Iowa students collaborated with an Eastern Iowa regional provider, ECR, on a study to close transportation gaps for individuals with brain health/mental health needs and disabilities.

The City of Dubuque seeks to establish performance measures/metrics for their Green Alleys Reconstruction program.

Dubuque has been working to improve access to affordable housing and is poised for the next step in its process. In recent years, it has had several different kinds of housingassessments completed. It has incentivized homeowner rehabilitation and has passed incentives for developers to create nearly 800 new units. It’s also created more infill by removing dilapidated buildings. Despite considerable action in this area, Dubuque faces challenges.

Like many communities in the midwest, Dubuque has many people whose first language is not English. Local government has an obligation to ensure these residents are included in all aspects of civic life. This includes having information that enables them to participate in city activities, ranging from library programs and recycling, to elections and parks. They also need to be able to receive important information about health and safety, such as immunization programs and extreme weather notices.

A community is built on its history and work needs to be done to maintain the stories and objects related to its past. As Bondurant grows and evolves, there is a desire to retain and safe-keep the history of those who have deep roots to the area and its traditions.

As part of its ambitious sustainability plans, Dubuque seeks to reduce vehicle dependency and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and create/promote accessible and equitable transportation alternatives.

The City of Bondurant seeks a new Parks & Recreation Master Plan that provides comprehensive vision for the local park system, recreation facilities, natural resources, and other public open spaces. The most recent plan was completed in 2013, and Bondurant’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan provides a strong foundation for updating the Master Plan. The Plan will identify strategies to enhance, expand, and protect features that support active lifestyles, equitable access, and a healthy community.

The City of Dubuque is exploring the idea of an electric bike and/or scooter share program. The city wants residents and visitors to have access to transportation options that are easy to access and affordable for short distances where walking may be an issue or a car is unnecessary.

Bondurant, Iowa, like other communities in Iowa, is facing a critical question:  How can the city repurpose the grain silo complex in downtown and make it a catalyst for growth and development? This is a complicated question of identity, design, law, funding, honoring the past, and envisioning the future. The City’s goal is to repurpose a 24-acre parcel of land in the middle of downtown, which has silos, grain elevators, and railroad tracks. These buildings have long been part of the fabric of the community and the city skyline.

Bondurant is a city deeply rooted in farming and agricultural traditions. It is currently experiencing rapid growth, which is shifting its identity. The city is balancing responsible growth with observance of its past.

For their capstone project in Civil and Environmental Engineering, a team of students will create a new trail system that connects to an existing county trail and moves users into downtown Bondurant. 

As a growing community, Bondurant is eager to develop recreation opportunities for local people, while also providing enticing reasons to visit the area. Combining existing trails and building new ones is a goal toward keeping Bondurant on the move!

Bondurant adopted Chapter 167 Stream Buffer Protection and Management in an effort to protect the various streams that flow through its city limits. This project will include the mapping of the streams that flow through Bondurant, applying the appropriate buffer zone to each zone, and/or applying the appropriate maintenance zone to each stream. Students in ICIGO will help Bondurant citizens as well as city staff identify undevelopable land surrounding these streams. 

Artist Drew Etienne (MFA, University of Iowa) will design and paint a mural on Bondurant's Emergency Services building.