Friday, September 25, 2020

Council Recap

The Mayor began the meeting on Tuesday, September 22, by asking for a moment of silence to remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg was an associate justice of the Supreme Court from 1993 until her death this year. Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, after Sandra Day O'Connor. The City Council held a public hearing to consider bids for the Parks and Public Works Satellite Facility at the intersection of 170th Street and Waterford Road. The cost for this project was more expensive than previously estimated due to higher structural and utilities (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) costs. The Council accepted the low bid for $902,900 and it’s anticipated that this project would be completed by October 2021. Last December the City Council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the City of Clive for the addition of turn lanes at the intersection of 128th Street and Hickman Road. The agreement included widening Hickman Road to six lanes and constructing dual left-turn and single right-turn lanes on each approach to the intersection. The Council approved and authorized the implementation of an addendum to this original agreement to increase the project limits easterly to the west ramp of Hickman Road and Interstate 35/80. The addendum will also add the construction of a 10-foot wide trail on the north side of Hickman Road from Deer Creek Trail to the entrance of Heritage Park (Lifetime Fitness location). The increased scope of the project results in a City share cost increase from $400,000 to $1,500,000. The City Council approved agreements with a company operated by Signature Commercial Real Estate to provide financial assistance associated with two redevelopment projects: the remodeling and repurposing of the former Kmart store at 72nd and Hickman Road and the remodeling and repurposing of the former Aamco service station on the same site. The former Aamco is now a location for Primary Health Care and the former Kmart building is being marketed by Signature for potential sale or lease. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, October 6 for a regularly scheduled council meeting. Read More.

Construction Progress on the Urban Loop Interchanges

We’re weeks away from the opening of the Meredith Drive Interchange ramps and the Iowa 141 Flyover. The opening of these interchanges represents a major achievement for Urbandale and its federal, state and local partners to increase safety, efficiency and economic opportunity. To mark the Urban Loop completion, a searchlight will light up the night sky for several days around the opening. Private funds have been secured for the searchlight use which was approved by the City Council to highlight this important community asset.

Pickleball Courts at Walker Johnston Park

Urbandale now has Pickleball Courts at Walker Johnston Park. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and located near the parking lot on the northwest side of the park.

All-Inclusive Playground at Northview Park

The All-Inclusive Playground located at Northview Park is now complete! The playground is designed to provide opportunities for children of all ages and abilities (including those with disabilities) to enjoy using the equipment and participate in fun outdoor activities. The playground surface has a cushioned rubberized surface to help prevent injuries and has a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair users or visually impaired participants.

Fall Clean-Up at Dunlap Park

The Annual Fall Clean-Up at Dunlap Park and Arboretum is on Thursday, October 15, from 5 – 7 PM. We hope you can join us! Please Pre-register ahead of time so we know how many people are coming.

Urbandale Ranked One of the Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine

Urbandale, Iowa ranked No. 47 on Money Magazine’s 2020 “Best Places to Live” list. Money looks at cities and towns all across America with populations of at least 25,000 and then narrows the list by collecting and analyzing more than 200,000 different data points. Money considers data about economic factors like employment opportunities, as well as housing, cost of living, diversity, health and safety, education, weather, lifestyle, and amenities.

Join the 21-Day Equity Challenge

The 21-Day Equity Challenge from United Way is a powerful opportunity for shared learning and growth. Central Iowans are invited to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community. Sign up to join the 21-day self-guided learning journey that begins on October 5, 2020.

Board Service 101

The Urbandale Public Library is offering a two-part series designed to give you an overview of board service, including the fundamentals of Roberts Rules of Order. Pre-registration is required for each individual session. Sessions will be provided online via Zoom.

Paranormal Iowa

Paranormal Iowa is on Sunday, October 25 at 1 PM via Zoom. This presentation from the Urbandale Public Library is an eerie combination of the most bizarre paranormal topics. Presenter, Chad Lewis, has combined his strangest cases of alien abductions, haunted places, mysterious creatures, crop circles, and everything else weird and unusual. This program covers the entire spectrum of Iowa's supernatural activity. Register online.

Run for the Badge with Mayor Andeweg

Join us for our virtual 5K run and/or walk to support the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum. Mayor Bob Andeweg will be running the event virtually and you can too! We've set up a route for you to follow when it's convenient for you.

Active City Projects

Meredith Drive - 156th Street to 170th Street The construction of a four-lane roadway for Meredith Drive beginning at 156th Street and extending west to 170th Street. Learn More 72nd Street Reconstruction Project This project involves the reconstruction of 72nd Street from Douglas Avenue to just north of Prairie Avenue. Storm Sewer improvements will also be added along the north side of Ridgemont Drive from 72nd Street to 74th Street. Learn More 104th Reconstruction – Hickman Road to Douglas Ave. This road will have one lane in each direction plus a left turn lane. Storm sewer will be installed with this project to allow the ditches to be filled and curb and gutter used on the new street. Learn More I-35/80 Urban Loop Ramp Closure at the I-35/80 Urban Loop and lane closure on Iowa 141 began Wednesday, August 19th. Learn More

Urbandale in the Media

Urbandale makes Money's "Best Places to Live" list. Read more here. From trails to tech, Urbandale is full of opportunity. See more here. Urbandale church gathering supplies for Marshalltown as the town recovers from the derecho. Read the story here. How the basement of an Urbandale dentist office became a 'learning collective' haven for kids. Read the full story here.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌