Iowa City seeks developer for downtown corner

IOWA CITY – Iowa City is seeking a private developer for city-owned land on a prominent downtown corner.

The city has put out a request for proposals to develop the northeast corner of College and Gilbert streets on the eastern edge of downtown. The property has been mostly vacant for years and previously was home to a bus depot, sporting goods store and automobile repair shop. The city has purchased parcels as they became available over the past several years, according to a news release.

For the past couple of years, city officials have spoken of their desire to redevelop parts of downtown, with an emphasis put on owner-occupied housing, retailers and high-end office space.

For this property, the city is encouraging proposals for an “urban building with commercial, hotel, office, and/or residential units,” according to the release.

The city has not had an appraisal on the property but plans to have them done on the development proposal finalists, transportation planner John Yapp said.

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 28.