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. 

For their capstone project, a team of graduate students in Urban and Regional Planning developed a comprehensive document to guide the future of downtown Oskaloosa, and updated the community historic preservations guidelines for the downtown district. 

Oskaloosa, the county seat for Mahaska County, a relatively small community of about 11,000 people located in south central Iowa. The downtown district, which features a historic county courthouse and iconic town square, serves as a retail hub and social gathering space. 

A team of students in the College of Law's Community Empowerment Law Project explored legislative pathways and financial mechanisms to support redevelopment of a large, idle agricultural facility located in the middle of Bondurant. 

For their senior capstone project in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, four students create plans to expand features in Sidney's central downtown park. The space is relatively small, but the City wanted to add a multipurpose court for both basketball and pickle ball; a restroom; storage; and increased car and bicycle parking. The team calculated the wastewater runoff created by the additional surfaces in the park and also added a rain garden.

Students in a senior capstone project in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering created plans to rehabilitate an abandoned building in Keosauqua, Iowa. The team responded to the client's request to maintain a facade that matches the overall look and feel of the historic downtown; provide residential apartments on the second floor; and create a first-floor restaurant.

As part of their senior capstone project, three students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering designed a new gymnasium for the City of Manning. The project features a new full-sized basketball court that be split in half for practice courts and that will give the city more practice space as well as the ability to host basketball and volleyball tournaments.

Students in the College of Engineering's Civil and Environmental Engineering department created plans to redevelop an existing green space in Maquoketa. The site was created when several buildings burnt down decades ago, leaving an open space. This space now serves as an informal gathering place for concerts and other public events. The City asked the team to provide plans to formalize the area as an event space, adding a permanent stage and restrooms. 

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

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.

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.  

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. 

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.