North Liberty is already reshaping its landscape with major investments like the renovation of Centennial Park and the newly constructed City Hall. These projects have laid a strong foundation for what comes next. Cherry Street sits right at the heart of that momentum. As the community continues to grow, so does the vision for how this district can better serve the people who live, work, and gather here. Reimagining Cherry Street isn’t just timely; it’s the natural next step, backed by the partnership and investment of MidWestOne Bank, Hills Bank, and GreenState Credit Union.
A One Day Charrette Built on Fresh Ideas and Local Voices
Unlike the other two districts, Cherry Street’s charrette was intentionally designed as a focused, one-day workshop, which made preparation even more essential.
The evening before the charrette, the team, led by RDG Planning & Design and Studio Combine Architecture conducted a full walkthrough of the district to ground themselves in the space and spark early ideas. That walkthrough was followed by a community open house at Heyn’s Ice Cream, where neighbors had a chance to share their perspectives. Some attended because they had heard about the event in advance, while others were already at Heyn’s and decided to stay once they learned what was happening. Their interest turned into meaningful conversations about what Cherry Street could become.
On the day of the charrette, the morning was filled with open conversations, where team members shared ideas, asked questions, and reflected on what they had heard from the community the night before. In the afternoon, the group split into three smaller teams, each taking on a different section of the district. The energy in the room felt focused but hopeful, shaped by the belief that the best ideas come from listening first and designing together.
Why Cherry Street?
In North Liberty, growth is part of the city’s identity. What was once a commuter town has quickly evolved into a place where businesses thrive and community life is growing. In the last twenty years, the population has nearly tripled, and that steady transformation has created real momentum. Cherry Street sits right in the heart of the city. With recent investments in Penn Meadows Park and the new City Hall anchoring the area, this district is becoming more than a pass-through.
What’s Next
The next step for Cherry Street is a follow-up refinement meeting with the charrette team and community advocates to revisit the ideas shaped during the workshop and reinforce the district’s original intent. From the beginning, the goal has been clear: to explore what it would take for this area to function as a true 15-minute city. That means a place where daily needs are within reach, and where walkability, bikeability, affordability, childcare access, and accessibility all work together. These sessions are powered by the Community Foundation of Johnson County.
In the weeks following the charrette, the lead planning firm has been translating the team’s ideas into more concrete design concepts. The follow-up meeting will give everyone a chance to review and refine those plans together. Final designs will be unveiled at Greater IC’s Annual Meeting on November 20, offering a clearer picture of what comes next.
Stay Connected
To stay updated on the Cherry Street district and other corridor projects, visit greateriowacity.com and follow us on social media. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for updates, event invites, and opportunities to stay involved.
