Visitor Guide 2013_Visitor_Guide : Page 5

Iowa City, Coralville area to the Home to The University of Iowa —symbolized by y the e golden dome of f the e state’s first t capitol building located on the e Pentacrest t in the heart t of f campus -our r community y is energized by y the e academic, , artis-tic, , athletic c and medical prowess of f one e of f the e nation’s most t respect-ed public c universities. . From the e thrill of f Hawkeye e athletics to o the beauty y on display y throughout t the e university’s arts programs, , The University y of f Iowa is a cornerstone e of f the e community. The arts and other cultural opportunities are an essential part of our area’s personality. From nationally respected summer festi-f jazz, Shakespeare, and the Fourth vals -including celebrations of of f July, among several others -to museums and galleries featur-ing renowned masterworks and literary y treasures, our commu-nity y is a haven for artists and cultural enthusiasts of f all stripes. In fact, our literary y heritage is so recognized that the United Na-tions of f Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNES-CO) recognized Iowa City as the world’s 3rd official City of Litera-ture! The Iowa City y area joins the communities of f Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia in receiving this honor and welcomes Dublin, Ireland as the 2010 addition and Reykjavik, Iceland in 2011. As proud as we e are e of f the e treasures to o be e found in our r community, we’re e equally y proud to o be e part t of f an exceptional region. . In addition to Iowa City, , Coralville, , and North Liberty, , the e Avenue e of f the Saints con-nects St. . Louis and St. . Paul and includes the e Amana Colonies, , Cedar Rapids, , Cedar r Falls, , and Waterloo o -an amazing collection of f commu-nities bursting with opportunities and attractions to o share e with family and friends. This Visitor r & Community y Reference Guide offers a taste of f all there is to see and do during your r visit. But t nothing can take the place of walking our r streets, experiencing our r scenic c landscape, meeting our r neighbors, and engaging in the culture of f this community. Whether r business or r pleasure has brought t you to town, we’re glad you’re oure here and we hope you you’ll ll return often. often Inde Indeed, we wouldn’t t be at t all surprised if f you eventually y decide to cal l this extraordinary pla ace home. WELCOME Our community offers a host of unique experiences sure to make your stay memorable, whether this is your ﬁrst visit or a return trip. We’re thrilled to share with you everything that makes this place special! Jos sh Schamberger, , President Iow wa City y / Coralville e Area Convention &Visitors Bureau IOWA CITY | CORALVILLE | NORTH LIBERTY -VISITOR AND COMMUNITY REFERENCE GUIDE 2013 5

Welcome

to the Iowa City, Coralville area Home to The University of Lowa-symbolized by the golden dome of the state's first capitol building located on the Pentacrest in the heart of campus - our communityis energized bythe academic,artistic, athletic and medical prowess of one of the nation’s most respected public universities. From the thrill of Hawkeye athletics to the beautyon display throughout the university’s arts programs, The University of Iowa is a cornerstone of the community. The arts and other cultural opportunities are an essential part of our area’s personality. From nationally respected summer festivals - including celebrations of jazz, Shakespeare, and the Fourth of July, among several others - to museums and galleries featuring renowned masterworks and literary treasures, our community is a haven for artists and cultural enthusiasts of all stripes. In fact, our literary heritage is so recognized that the United Nations of Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations(UNESCO) recognized Iowa City as the world’s 3rd official City of Literature!The Iowa City area joins the communities of Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia in receiving this honor and welcomes Dublin, Ireland as the 2010 addition and Reykjavik, Iceland in 2011. As proud as we are of the treasures to be found in our community, we’re equally proud to be part of an exceptional region. In addition to Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, the Avenue of the Saints connects St. Louis and St. Paul and includes the Amana Colonies, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and Waterloo - an amazing collection of communities bursting with opportunities and attractions to share with family and friends. This Visitor & Community Reference Guide offers a taste of all there is to see and do during your visit. But nothing can take the place of walking our streets, experiencing our scenic landscape, meeting our neighbors, and engaging in the culture of this community.Whether business or pleasure has brought you to town, we’re glad you’rehere and we hope you’ll return often Indeed, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if you eventually decide to call this extraordinary place home. Josh Schamberger, President Iowa City / Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau THREE Cities 3 times the fun Many Iowans are hesitant to brag about their hometowns. It seems pushy, immodest, and downright “un-Iowan.” Tooting our own horn is a little easier if we simply point to what others have said about us. Consider these national rankings of the communities that help make up our metropolitan area - Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty. • #74, North Liberty "Best Places to Live" (Money Magazine) • "Top City for Starting Over" (Yahoo Finance) • #21, "Best Places to Live and Launch." (Fortune) • #23, Iowa City "25 Best Places to Retire" (CNN Money) • #4 Public education (Expansion Management) • #13, "Best Cities for Business and Careers" (Forbes) • One of 50 "Best Places to Live and Play' (National Geographic Adventure) • Iowa City West High "Best High School in Iowa" (Newsweek) An overview of the area’s shared offerings: Cultural Opportunities: The area boasts 13 museums, 10 literary presses, nine programs offering regularly scheduled literary readings, at least five writing outreach programs, and seven community and professional theater companies, including Riverside Theatre’s annual Shakespeare Festival. National and local artists perform at the Englert Theatre. By one estimate, there are 300 places to buy a book in the area. Recreational Opportunities: Big Ten Athletics- check. Lakes, rivers, streams and ponds - of course. Hiking - count on it.Biking - sure. Youth sports - oh yeah.Skating - indoors and out. Educational Opportunities: According to the 2010 Census, Iowa City is among the top 10 most educated metropolitan communities in the country. More than 45 percent of Iowa City residents, age 25 years and older, have completed four or more years of college. This is true partly because of the presence of the University of Iowa and its some 30,000 students and 1800 faculty members.It is true partly because of the local presence of Kirkwood Community College. It is true partly because of the nationally recognized quality of instruction offered to the area’s 11,000 K-12 students. And it is true partly because all of these institutions share a commitment to life-long learning. Iowa City’s West High School was named the best school in Iowa by Newsweek (2011). No area receives such lofty citations on criteria as diverse as outdoor recreation and secure retirement - or from sources as diverse as Forbes and National Geographic Adventure - without a wealth of cultural and recreational opportunities, a range of educational opportunities and first-rate health care. These are the broad scale amenities that support personal and community development. The Iowa City area is strategically located in the center of the largest population region in the state of Iowa, attracting workers from a 60-mile radius. With a regional population of more than 400,000, and double-digit growth every decade, the Iowa City area has consistently attracted knowledgable workers for our growing companies. While the municipalities of Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty necessarily share many overarching resources, each community offers something uniquely its own as well. IOWA CITY Iowa City: Where “unique” is the norm Just ask anyone who lives here – there is no other place in the world quite like Iowa City.Nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Iowa and along the Iowa River, Iowa City is consistently recognized as one of the best places in the country to live, learn, work, start a business, raise a family, and retire. Home to 68,000 residents, it’s a place where life is lived fully, offering many amenities typically available only in much larger cities, yet at the same time, just minutes away from the peace and quiet of the rural countryside Iowa City has long served as the area’s center for art, culture, education, and recreation. As the site of the University of Iowa and the famed Writer’s Workshop, it is the only city in the United States to have been awarded the prestigious “City of Literature” designation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Iowa City sustains and supports a rich culture, complete in dance, and creative writing. It also boasts a vibrant downtown, an extensive parks, recreation, and trail system, University of Iowa collegiate sports (Go, Hawks!), excellent restaurants, world-class healthcare facilities, a top-notch school system, a blend of new urban and historic neighborhoods, the state’s best Farmer’s Market, and an engaged group of residents who contribute thousands of volunteer hours to local organizations and charities each year. The City’s economy is as diverse as it is prosperous, propelled by its largest employers, the University of Iowa and UI Hospitals and Clinics, as well as a number of prestigious national businesses and manufacturing firms, and small locally owned enterprises. The job market is strong, and there are ample opportunities for employment. No matter what your reason is for visiting Iowa City – whether you’re heading to a Hawkeye sporting event or a local conference, considering attending school or starting a business here, or just passing through – we are sure you will have a great experience. Please visit: City of Iowa City’s website (www.icgov.org), our Facebook page, (The City of Iowa City Government), call us at 319.356.5000, or visit the Downtown Iowa City district’s website at www.downtowniowacity.com to find out more. Moving to Iowa City? Visit www.icgov.org/utilities for information on how to set up your utilities account. CORALVILLE Everything... and more In this fast-growing city, civic pride fuels progress. New homes, new businesses, and new public/private initiatives mark Coralville’s recent history. Between 2000 and 2010, Coralville grew by 25% to almost 20,000 residents. The city is home to the University of Iowa’s 190-acre University of Iowa Research Park and associated business incubators, the Technology Innovation Center and BioVentures Center, all of which supply a steady source of new employment in biotechnology, information solutions, and the preparation and management of educational materials and data. Coralville is home to Coral Ridge Mall, a 1.2 million square foot enclosed retail setting, as well as many smaller shops in the more intimate, redevelopment area of the Town Center district that includes a newly renovated, expanded, and spacious public library. The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, a 482-seat, state-of-the-art community venue located in the heart of the community, opened in August 2011. Coralville received a prestigious Phoenix Award for the public/ private partnership that reclaimed a brownfield former industrial area along the Iowa River. The 180-acre Iowa River Landing is anchored by the 286-room Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. Additional offerings include a microbrewery, museums, restaurants, businesses, and up-scale condominiums; a wetland park; and University of Iowa Health Care – Iowa River Landing, a 150,000 square foot clinic that opened in October 2012. A new luxury department store and restaurant will open in the summer of 2013. NORTH LIBERTY Gateway to recreational opportunities North Liberty: North Liberty is fast becoming part of the metropolitan area. According to census reports, North Liberty has had a 149% population increase from 2000 to 2010 and is still maintaining the second largest growth in Iowa. The population is over 13,000. Because of its proximity to Interstates 80 and 380, the community has proven an ideal location for businesses that require long-haul transport of materials or finished goods. “Best Places to Live” North Liberty was ranked No. 74 on the list, one of five Iowa cities that made the 2011 rankings according to Money Magazine in their annual ranking of towns of 8,500 to 50,000 residents. North Liberty serves as a gateway to the many recreational opportunities afforded by the Coralville Lake and the adjacent 14,000-acre Hawkeye Wildlife preserve. When the dam creating the Lake was topped in 1993, flood waters gouged out the Devonian Fossil Gorge, now an educational site that offers a striking view of the area’s deep geological history. The North Liberty Community Center serves as a resource for many activities for all ages. The Community Center offers two full-sized gymnasiums, meeting rooms, an indoor track, indoor pool and outdoor aquatic center. The Community Center is also home to NLTV and the North Liberty Community Library containing over 32,000 pieces of material. Both the Library and Community Center offer year-round programming, rental options and more.

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