Sycamore is nestled between neighborhoods, employers, and locally owned businesses. It’s a corridor people move through every day—and with the right support, it can become a place where they choose to stay. Through a collaborative design process, the community is now shaping what comes next: a district that feels welcoming, walkable, and worthy of its name.
What’s Happened So Far: Community at the Center
This spring and summer, the Sycamore corridor was alive with energy and imagination. Greater Iowa City, Inc., alongside city and county partners, hosted a series of hands-on events to hear directly from those who live, work, and spend time in the area.
It began with a Good Neighbor Meeting at 2 Dogs Pub, where patrons, residents, local employees, and even industrial leaders joined together to put their ideas (literally) on the map. Post-it notes covered large-scale maps, identifying opportunities for improvement, areas of concern, and shared hopes for the area. Notably, many city and county staff attended not just as professionals, but as residents of the district themselves.
Once the charrette process began, led by Mark Seabold, Principal Architect with Shive-Hattery, and Mike Nolan, Principal with Horizon Architecture, the engagement only deepened. Walking tours gave planners and architects a firsthand view of how people use the space, and where friction points exist, especially around walkability and connectivity. Indoors, sketch sessions and open dialogue captured dozens of creative ideas. From big-picture visions to small, tactical improvements, one thing was clear: people care deeply about keeping Sycamore accessible, welcoming, and green.
Sycamore was selected for focused investment because it already serves as a natural community hub, but its potential is far from fully realized. It’s a district with real infrastructure gaps and equity opportunities, making it a strategic place to invest in inclusive, place-based economic development. Residents want to see more green space (yes, the irony of a tree-named street with almost no trees wasn’t lost on anyone), better wayfinding, and an environment that supports both mobility and belonging. Sycamore has more businesses and activity than anyone realizes or acknowledges, and it is time for that story to be more fully told and celebrated.
What’s Next: Turning Ideas into Action
The charrette wasn’t the end…it was the foundation, and it was made possible by generous sponsorships by MidwestOne Bank, Greenstate Credit Union, and Hills Bank. In the coming weeks, the design team will meet with accessibility advocates including bikeability, childcare access, and affordability groups, and other key stakeholders to refine and reality-check the ideas generated during the public and charrette sessions. These voices will help ensure that what’s being drawn works for everyone, not just in concept, but on the ground. This work will be powered by the Community Foundation of Johnson County.
Final district plans will be presented later this fall, and they’ll serve as more than renderings. They’re intended to guide real investment, infrastructure upgrades, and development decisions in the years ahead.
Sycamore is evolving, and the community is leading the way. To stay plugged into the process, visit greateriowacity.com and follow us on social media for updates.
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