cf2020 plan summary

8/3/2019 CF2020 Plan Summary

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Community-Wide Vision & Strategic Plan

Cedar Falls 2020: Progressing

Together for a Brighter Future


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The Cedar Falls community has long recognized the value of long-termstrategic planning as a means to create the best possible future for ourcitizens. The first community-wide strategic plan was completed in 1990.The planning team was chosen to reflect the make-up of the community.

A deliberate effort was made to create partnerships within Cedar Falls andoutside of the community, recognizing that through collaboration, we canachieve greater things.

The foundation for the 2020 plan is a set of five basic, widely-held values.These values serve as the underlying premise upon which communityactivities are and should continue to be built upon over the next ten years.A vision of how Cedar Falls will look in 2020 was created, shaped by theextensive public input received by the planning team and is included as a partof this plan. The vision serves as a picture in words of how the communitywill look when the goals laid out in this plan have been achieved.

Since everyone involved with this plan is committed to achieving results,a Review and Planning Committee has been created by the 2020 StrategicPlanning Team to monitor the implementation of the Cedar Falls 2020 Plan

and to help keep the plan alive and on track.

We are truly proud of the efforts put forth by the planning team over thepast year and firmly believe that this plan will help Cedar Falls achieve evengreater things in the next ten years. We look forward to progressing togethertoward a brighter future for Cedar Falls.

Jon Crews, MayorCity of Cedar Falls

Deon Senchina, Co-Chair2020 Strategic Planning Team

Jim Krieg, Co-Chair2020 Strategic Planning Team

Progressing Together

The Cedar Falls 2020Strategic Planning Team

Jim Krieg, Co-Chair

Deon Senchina, Co-Chair

Mayor Jon CrewsJoel Andersen

Wade Arnold

Kim Burger

Senator Jeff Danielson

Cary Darrah

Dave Deaver

Sue Dehl

Sara Gabriele

Ron GainesKris Hansen

Jen Hartman

Mary Huber

Chris Hyers

Bob Justis

Rose Lorenz

Frank Magsamen

Sandy Jo Messingham

Enrique OchoaJohn Padget

David Rodger

Tom Schellhardt

Zach Shimp

MaraBeth Soneson

Nick Taiber

Facilitated by the Institutefor Decision Making at theUniversity of Northern Iowa

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To Increase the areas economic base

As a community, we need good jobs. Local developmententities maintain synergy with state and regional agenciesto attract new business, keep a well-trained workforce,and retain quality jobs. In 2020, Cedar Falls has continuedsuccess with developing technology / industrial parklocations, including one in northern Cedar Falls.

To advance the safety, health, environment and

well-being of our citizens

A shared respect for protecting and preserving ournatural environment exists among citizens of CedarFalls in 2020. Public and private entities considersustainability a priority. Cedar Falls residents valuehealth and wellness and are supported in their questwith state-of-the-art healthcare services. Modifiedand newly-created streets were constructed to includeconsiderations for users beyond automobiles; pedestrianand bicycle accommodations are abundant, offering safe,

healthier routes to school and work.Community services in 2020 are responsive to the needsof people who live here. Citizens feel connected to theirgovernment. Local government has built relationships,increased cooperation and promoted diversity. CedarFalls Utilities and the City of Cedar Falls continue tooffer superior service staying on the cutting edge ofsustainability and technological advancements, such asexpanded recycling options.

To further develop Cedar Falls as a Center of

Excellence for history, the arts, entertainment

and recreation

Neighborhoods, schools and parks in 2020 aremaintained and valued by all citizens. Beautiful olderhomes in well-established neighborhoods exist, as wellas more modern housing developments with schools,trails and green spaces nearby. In 2020, Cedar Fallsboasts unique districts alive with culture and commerce.A nationally recognized downtown Cedar Falls maintainsthe character and charm of years gone by. The UniversityAvenue Corridor is a major destination for citizens ofCedar Falls and neighboring communities. The CollegeHill neighborhood is now a thriving mixed use district.

Green Hill Village, Thunder Ridge, Center Street Corridor,Pinnacle Prairie and Viking Road developments artfullycombine assessable retail and service destinations amongvibrant neighborhoods.

To provide high-quality education

Education continues to be a cornerstone of thecommunity, influencing businesses and individuals tolocate and remain in Cedar Falls. Education at the PK-12level offers students a world class education so they havethe tools and agility to succeed in the 21st century.

In 2020, opportunities for lifelong learning and innovationare abundant. The University of Northern Iowa, HawkeyeCommunity College, Allen School of Nursing andother public and private institutions serve the diverseeducational needs of post-high school students. Citizenscan easily access a variety of services and amenitiesthrough UNI. The Cedar Falls Public Library, the CedarFalls Historical Society and the James and Meryl Hearst

Center for the Arts are educational gathering places forall ages and the Library serves as a technology accesspoint, providing new, state-of-the-art resources.

To expand infrastructure

The Cedar Valley championed the Waterloo Airport tore-instate it to its once regional status. Citizens of theCedar Valley now enjoy timely and cost effective flights.Superior broadband connectivity and electrical capacityattract cutting-edge technology firms to the area. CedarFalls offers a variety of transportation and logisticaloptions to meet the needs of area citizens and businessesincluding expanded air service, new rail connections,

and highways linking markets and leisure destinations.Our understanding of technology, infrastructure andsustainability form a new foundation for economic growthand development.

Cedar Falls in 2020 is and continues to be a vital, livablecommunity with a heightened spirit of cooperationand respect for the diverse needs of its citizens. Thecommunity is committed to celebrating past successes,while continuously looking toward future opportunitiesand challenges. In the year 2020, we see a Cedar Fallsthat truly has progressed together for a brighter future.

The Cedar Falls Vision

Building from a solid foundation with a collective desire to embrace the opportunities and challenges

before us, as a community we look ahead to 2020, envisioning the following Cedar Falls of the future:

Cedar Falls remains a dynamic, prosperous community situated among the fields and rivers of the Cedar Valley Iowaregion in the USA. In the year 2020, Cedar Falls artfully combines small town character and heritage with globalawareness and progressive adaptability. Citizens of Cedar Falls are fully engaged worldwide. This means leadership inbusiness, education and personal growth, but also a shared sense of purpose toward sustainability and diversity.

Cedar Falls understands that the Cedar Valley and Midwestern regions, when united, are stronger than each communityon its own. In 2020 Cedar Falls maintains partnerships with our neighboring communities that are mutually beneficialand mutually valued. These partnerships are a result of plans designed to create an environment that is conducive tovibrant businesses, lifelong education and personal growth and wellness.

2020 Community-Wide Vision and Strategic Plan 3


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1.0 To Increase the Areas Economic Base

Aim 1.1 To expand the industrial base and employment

opportunities

Goal 1 Provide fully developed land and infrastructure improvements forCedar Falls businesses to expand

Goal 2 Develop a detailed plan and policy that encourages new andexisting business and industry to thrive

Aim 1.2 To expand the commercial base and employment

opportunities

Goal 1 Implement projects from Downtown Cedar Falls 2020 Plan

Goal 2 Implement projects from the College Hill Partnership

Goal 3 Focus on specific geographical areas for development whilemanaging and minimizing sprawl demands.

Goal 4 Nurture intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship

Aim 1.3 To encourage housing opportunities for all family

circumstances

Goal 1 Identify and address City and State regulations that optimizedevelopment and construction of new homes

Goal 2 Maintain necessary builder/developer support to construct housingbased on current and projected needs

Goal 3 Promote housing improvements/new growth in existingneighborhoods already containing basic infrastructure

Aim 1.4 To increase the economic impact of tourism

Goal 1 Increase the number of visitors to Cedar Falls and the metropolitan

area, increase the length of stay and provide consumers aconvenient way to obtain more information about the area andspecific tourism businesses

Aim 1.5: To foster innovative economic development programs

Goal 1 Market the Cedar Valley as the best choice for business, supporttechnology, skilled employees and adopt the most innovative,cost-effective business practices



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2.0 To Advance the Safety, Health, Environment andWell-being of Our Citizens

Aim 2.1 To maintain a safe community, including the low

incidence of crime

Goal 1 Continue building the relationship between citizens and the policedepartment

Goal 2 Review and modify, as needed, various emergency managementpolicies, procedures and facilities

Aim 2.2 To provide appropriate and affordable health and human

services

Goal 1 Offer ample health and wellness opportunities

Aim 2.3 To improve effectiveness and efficiency of local

government and municipal services

Goal 1 Maintain and enhance collaboration with educational, regional

and governmental partners (City/UNI; CF/Waterloo/Black HawkCounty; CF Schools/UNI; CF/Waverly; regional cooperation;intergovernmental collaboration)

Goal 2 Continuous examination of municipal service to realize greatestefficiencies

Aim 2.4 To increase citizens involvement and sense of

belonging within the community

Goal 1 Develop a resource inventory of diverse leaders / volunteersavailable for various community boards, commissions, etc.

Goal 2 Embrace a more diverse population by welcoming all and

communicating that Cedar Falls is an inclusive, friendly, open,inviting and dynamic community

Goal 3 Utilize progressive city design to create new gathering places andopportunities for experience

Aim 2.5 To manage the protection and wise use of our

communitys natural environment

Goal 1 Develop Cedar Falls public and private spaces to be on the cuttingedge of sustainable energy use

Goal 2 Institute an improved recycling program within the City such thatan increasing percentage of all possible recycled materials are

capturedGoal 3 Improve community-wide aesthetics, including the revitalization of

targeted neighborhoods

Goal 4 Maintain clean rivers and streams for recreation

3.0 To Further DevelopCedar Falls as a Center ofExcellence for History, theArts, Entertainment andRecreation

Aim 3.1: To maintain and

enhance the communitys

appearance

Goal 1 Preserve ourcommunitys heritage inways that significantlycontribute to CedarFalls appearance anddesirability

Aim 3.2: To continue to

expand and enhance the

quality and diversity of Cedar

Falls parks, trails and other

recreational resources

Goal 1 Expand recreationalopportunities

Aim 3.3: To maintain and

expand quality cultural

enrichment resources and

activities for residents andvisitors

Goal 1 Enhance funding forcultural activities

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Aim 5.1 Expand logistics and transportation infrastructure

Goal 1 Develop the community in ways that support and encouragemulti-modal, energy efficient transportation, including fast/safe/accommodating access to retail, commercial centers andentertainment venues

Goal 2 Implement a comprehensive strategy for pedestrian/traffic safetyissues

Goal 3 Increase the efficient and economical use of our transportationresources

Goal 4 Increase rail opportunities to take advantage of the Cedar Fallslocation and expand mass transit

Goal 5 Support improved air service at Waterloo Airport

Aim 5.2 Expand technology infrastructure

Goal 1 Ensure that there are adequate wireless environments to supportthe community without losing our sense of community andpersonal connectiveness.

Goal 2 Maintain a state-of-the-art communications utility enablingindustries to stay abreast of technological advances

Goal 3 Develop and maintain a modern power grid and generation andaggressively pursue and manage sustainable energy resources thatare efficient, renewable, affordable, and available for all citizens -residential and commercial

4.0 To Provide High-Quality Education

5.0 To Expand Infrastructure

Aim 4.1 Create a distinctive

public educational program

on a global level

Goal 1 Provide the resources

needed to build andsustain world classeducational systems

Goal 2 Become a recognizedcenter for ethniceducation and diversity

Aim 4.2 Engage the entire

community in an ethic of

lifelong learning

Goal 1 Encourage community

participation in lifelonglearning opportunitiesby sharing commonresources



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Community-Wide Vision & Strategic Plan

Cedar Falls 2020: Progressing

Together for a Brighter Future

For more information visit www.cedarfalls.com/2020

To comment or question email [email protected]

City of Cedar Falls

220 Clay Street

Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Ph: (319) 273-8600

Fax: (319) 268-5126

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