On this page, you'll find descriptions of individual projects and overviews of the communities with which we've partnered.

Use the filter to search for kinds of projects, e.g., public art or engineering, or to locate a specific community.

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Video camera on a tripod outside

Bondurant -"Grow Your Business in Bondurant" - a film project

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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

Drawing of an interesting looking strip mall

Bondurant - Targeted Business Attraction

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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. 

For sale sign in the middle of an agricultural field.

Bondurant - Grow Smart

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

hands holding soil and seedlings photographed from above.

Bondurant - Creative Civic Engagement

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

Cartoon of arms reaching to money on top of a city.

Bondurant - Citizen Resources for Understanding Taxes and the City Budget

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

Sun and green roof

Bondurant - Greening City-Owned Properties

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

Group of four people smile at at the camera, one man is wearing law enforcement gear.

Bondurant - Public Safety Feasibility Study

Published
Friday, November 3, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.  

ECR Cover Photo

ECR Transportation Gap Study

Published
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

alleyway with red bricks

Dubuque - Green Alleyways Assessment

Published
Monday, September 18, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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

colorful drawing of houses

Dubuque - Affordable Housing Action Plan

Published
Monday, September 18, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

tornado warning information in Spanish with drawing of a basement

Dubuque - Language Justice and Translating the Public Health Issues of Extreme Weather

Published
Monday, August 21, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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 carnival ride with grain siloes in the background

Bondurant - Collecting Oral Histories

Published
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

woman on a bicycle

Dubuque - Alternative Transportation Action Plan

Published
Monday, August 14, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

Autumnal path

Bondurant - Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Published
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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 back of a yellow bike.

Dubuque - Bicycle and Scooter Share Program Analysis

Published
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

Grain silo that's been turned into a house with a deck on the second floor and outside seating.

Bondurant - Law and Policy to Support Community-Driven Redevelopment

Published
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

old yellowed photo of large white wooden house on what appears to be a large, open plot of land.

Bondurant - Historical Society Archiving

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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.

People hiking as seen from road-level with a closeup of a boot.

Bondurant - Trail Expansion Project

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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!

 

A narrow stream surrounded by grassy green banks and some trees in the distance.

Bondurant - Stream buffer overlay district mapping

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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. 

close up of orange and blue abstract mural with blue sky above

Bondurant - Mural on Emergency Services building

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

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