A new initiative in Clinton will soon bring a large annual musical festival to the Clinton's riverfront area, bringing large amounts of people and traffic to the ara.  This new event spurred conversations about how to best improve the area to accommodate new uses and year round enjoyment of the space.  As part of their Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students will work with the Clinton Parks & Recreation department to identify and desin site improvements, such as stormwater managment, parkin, new structures, and more.  

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.  Alleyways offer pathways to pedestrians, increasing connectivity and walkability along interesting and quieter routes.   Improving alleyways can mean stormwater management to reduce flash flooding, greenery and plantings that offer environmental and aesthetic benefits, new commercial and entrepreneurial opportunities, and spaces for arts and culture.

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students completed an evaluation of four historic lime kilns and property in Jackson County, including the kilns, rock crusher, two-span bridge, dike system, aqueduct, and stormwater management.  They also provided designs to protect the structures as well as improvements to the property that enhance the visitor experience.

MFA students will design and install a public art piece for the Manchester Fish Hatchery, driven by a process of public engagement so that the piece reflects the values, stories, and/or identity of the community.

Graduate students in the School of Library & Information Science partnered with Jackson County Historical Society to perform a technical evaluation for building an online compendium of Jackson County, Iowa history. 

Students in the Tippie College of Business course Non-Profit Organizational Effectiveness developed frameworks for interagency collaboration and strategic planning for local arts organizations in Maquoketa, Iowa.

Civil & Environmental Engineering students enrolled in the Senior Design Capstone course designed a site plan for an ADA-compliant cultural education center at Camp Courageous. 

MFA students will design and install a public art piece for the Manchester community, driven by a process of public engagement so that the piece reflects the values, stories and/or identity of the community.

Recent Cinema Arts grad Philip Rabalais worked closely with Manchester city leaders and residents to create a dynamic promotional video for the community.  Enjoy the video below!

Working closely with Waterloo’s Center for the Arts, MFA student Sean Tyler designed and installed two murals at the gateway to the downtown district.

Recent Cinema Arts grad Philip Rabalais teamed up with current film student Timmer Penny to create a short film documentary of the Hero Hustle, an annual event that takes place in Manchester Iowa.  Enjoy the video below!

Students from the School of Urban & Regional Planning course Community Development in the Upper Midwest interviewed several Chin Burmese residents of Columbus Junction to produce a short film about their sense of home in their new community.