UI looking to develop land where marching band once practiced

Hunter
08/19/21

A large greenspace on Park Road where the University of Iowa Marching Band once practiced may soon be developed by the school.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the space was abandoned in 2014 when new indoor and outdoor facilities were located at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.  The University recently sent out over 50 letters to homeowners within a two-block vicinity of the Manville Heights property, telling them that they’re in the early stages of developing the field, along with some undisclosed adjoining property.

The paper reports the university will be moving forward by getting proposals from third-party architects or development teams in mid-September. They have alerted the Board of Regents that they’ve begun the process, short of making a formal request.

A meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, August 25th, with the neighbors to discuss the space and its potential development.

The Board of Regents has directed the University of Iowa to sell or generate revenue from non-essential UI properties. There is already another project underway to develop a 110-unit senior rental project on the former site of the University Athletic Club near Finkbine Golf Course.