City of Coralville, IA
Challenge
As part of the Iowa River Landing brownfield redevelopment project, the City of Coralville undertook a massive transformation of a river-front industrial park to a mixed-use retail and residential are featuring a Marriott Conference Center and Hotel. Lower landscape areas of the brownfield included floodplains and back waters. Beyond the standard federal permitting requirements for development of wetland areas, the City wished to identify natural area assets and integrate natural design features while minimizing environmental impacts.
Solution
Beginning in 2003, Impact7G (formerly EarthView Environmental) assisted the City though identifying wetland and habitat assets through multiple developments of a “Wetland Park” area. Wetland delineation and permit consultation not only provided for the federal and state regulatory permitting requirements, but also utilized the natural capital of this area, helping to create Coralville’s Iowa River Landing Wetland Park in the process. From 2007 to present, IMPACT7G has continued to monitor the site for regulatory compliance, as well as assist the Coralville Parks & Recreation Department in overall park maintenance, care and improvements.
More recently the Wetland Park underwent further improvements with the addition of an elevated walkway, flood control structures, and landscaping. Working in close coordination with the City and their design team, Impact7G provided wetland & regulatory consultation and monitoring through every step of the process. Additionally, IMPACT7G conducted on-site construction monitoring in 2010-2011, guiding contractors through the delicate process of construction in and around regulated wetland areas.
Finally, in 2010, Impact7G assembled a creative team including geologists, educators, environmental scientists, archaeologists, landscape artists and engineers to provide site specific educational material for interpretive signage placed throughout the park.
Project Outcomes
- Successful and timely wetland permitting, onsite mitigation and brownfield redevelopment
- Incorporation of natural assets into site design and wetland park establishment
