The City of Cedar Falls and the Cedar Falls Utilities will again honor a number of local businesses and organizations, as well as the Representative Citizen of the Year at an awards luncheon on April 22. The University of Northern Iowa is hosting the event at the McLeod Center. To RSVP, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (319) 268-5119 by April 15 or audrey.stefan@cedarfalls.com by April 16. Cost is $20.
This year’s recipients are:
Midland Atlantic Development Company - East Viking Plaza Economic Development Award
The Midland Atlantic Development Company wins the 2010 Economic Development Award. In the fall of 2007, the company started the East Viking Plaza. This 30-acre development in southern Cedar Falls compliments the continued commercial expansion of the Viking Road corridor. This area boasts the city's newest commercial development with the opening of Target's retail store in the fall of 2009. In addition, a new 10,000 square foot commercial power center is close to completion. Upon full development, the East Viking Plaza has the potential to provide well over 100,000 square feet of new commercial retail area for Cedar Falls.
UNI Multimodal Transportation Center – Development Partner Award
The 2010 Development Partner Award goes to the UNI Multimodal Transportation Center, collaboration between the University, the Cities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), and MET Transit. Located on 23rd Street, just east of Campbell Hall, this three-level facility provides 350 additional parking spaces and easier access to the campus. It is a stop for the Panther Shuttle, MET Transit and Safe Ride buses, and a short distance to nature trails and bicycle paths.
The multimodal facility supports UNI’s commitment to sustainable practices by reducing vehicular traffic around campus. Its solar panels will supply energy to the Center and serve as an educational demonstration project for sustainability. An elevator, vending machines, waiting area and restrooms are available in the pavilion. There are ten lockers for bicycles, emergency phones and security cameras.
Eighty percent of funding for this $12 million dollar project came from the Federal Transit Administration. The remaining 20 percent came from UNI through value of the land and parking funds.
Aerial Services, Inc. – Redevelopment Investor Award
Just short of one year after the 2008 record-breaking floodwaters significantly damaged its Center Street location, Aerial Services broke ground on a new facility at the southwest corner of Enterprise and Chancellor Drives in the Cedar Falls Industrial Park. The company determined that it was in their long-term best interest to relocate to a new, modern facility outside the floodplain. City staff and City Council worked to structure the project so that ASI could get into a new building without undue financial hardship.
Established in 1967, Aerial Services, Inc. has an impressive history of success and growth. The company’s Midwest work ethic, cutting edge technology and experienced staff have provided needed solutions, premier services and products to government, utilities, engineers, and other geospatial customers for over 40 years. They had been located on Center Street since 1976. The new 9,000 square foot state-of-the-art building allowed for the retention of 25 positions and will provide for future facility and employment growth.
Community Main Street – Tourism, Recreation & Entertainment Award
Thanks to the nomination by this group, the National Trust named Cedar Falls one of the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations for Historic Preservation. The City of Cedar Falls and the Cedar Falls Utilities present Community Main Street with this year’s Tourism, Recreation & Entertainment Award. The city’s Downtown District was a significant factor in Cedar Falls’ selection for the prestigious national designation. The efforts of Community Main Street staff, board, and volunteers, in cooperation with downtown businesses, property owners, employees, and residents have helped Cedar Falls receive this recognition, as well as the coveted Great American Main Street Award in 2002 (also presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and certification by the state of Iowa as an “Arts and Cultural District”.
As stated by the National Trust, the Cedar Falls downtown is a model for economic revitalization and offers great opportunities for visitors and residents through its museums, public art, theatre, library, entertainment, dining, shopping, lodging, outdoor activities on the nearby trails, river and lakes. It is home to charming, historic buildings including the Black Hawk Hotel and the Oster-Regent Theatre which are on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the center of many community festivals and events, including Sturgis Falls, Cedar Basin Jazz Festival, Artapalooza, Holiday Hoopla, “Movies Under the Moon”, summer band concerts, and Farmers’ Market, to name just a few.
Phantom Park - Reinvestor Award
This year’s Reinvestor Award goes to another business severely impacted by the Flood of 2008. Phantom Park is the result of a major relocation project for all operations of Reel Deal Holdings, L.L.C., managed by Darin Beck. When the facility at 209 North Roosevelt succumbed to the flooding Cedar River, portions of the Reel Deal operations were forced to relocate piecemeal to several different locations throughout the Cedar Valley. But within months, the decision was made that the best solution for Reel Deal Holdings was to vacate its severely damaged facility and construct a new corporate office facility in the Cedar Falls Industrial and Technology Park. A developmental agreement with the City of Cedar Falls was reached that was beneficial to the long-term viability of these companies, and at the same time allowed for the demolition and removal of the existing building from the floodplain and conversion of the land to permanent greenspace owned by the City.
Setting on the southwest corner of Technology Parkway and Chancellor Drive, the 55,000 +/- square foot state-of-the-art office and warehouse facility is home to corporate headquarters of Barmuda Corporation, Barmuda Distribution, Phantom EFX, Phantom Distribution, T8 Design (dining and nightclub establishments to world class technology companies). Reel Deal Holdings, through all of these subsidiary entities, anticipate that 200-300 new positions will be created within the next few years.
Holmes Junior High School Renovation Project 2010 - Education Partner Award
Construction began on this project in April of 2009. The renovation consists of a new 23,783 square feet building, adding two Family Consumer Science classrooms; additional administrative office and conference area; practice gym with stage and storage; music practice rooms; wrestling room; and weight training room. Most existing classrooms will be remodeled with new windows, ceilings, lighting, cabinets, marker boards, and projection equipment for computers in each room. The current media center will be relocated. There will be new electrical service, sprinkler system, video security system, public address system and clock. The new heating and air conditioning will be a closed loop geo-thermal system. An additional 60,000 square feet of parking will also be provided. Total budget for the project is $11,788,351 and it is being funded with local option sales tax proceeds. The entire project is another example of Cedar Falls’ commitment to education. Completion date is anticipated in October of 2010.
Bio Life Plasma Services - New Investor Award
Bio Life Plasma Services is an industry leader in the collection of high quality plasma that is processed into life-saving plasma-based therapies. It is a part of the Baxter Healthcare Corporation, a global diversified healthcare company.
Work on the new Cedar Falls Bio Life facility began in October 2008 and it opened in the Fall of 2009, another key component in the Pinnacle Prairie “healthcare campus” being developed by Lockard Development. This 15,000 sq. ft. state of the art facility represents a local investment in excess of $4.0 million (land, building and equipment). It has 60 donor beds, employees 30-35 people and is equipped with cutting-edge technology. The private investment made Bio Life will have long lasting impact on the entire community, and provide significant donor opportunities to all in the community.
Representative Citizen of the Year – David Deaver
Dave Deaver is recipient of the 2010 Cedar Falls Representative Citizen Award. Dave is well known throughout the community for his remarkable number of leadership roles and long history of involvement in volunteer activities. His broad range of contributions touch upon every facet of the community, from several Service Clubs, the Schools, the Hospital, Library, Theatre, Chamber, his church and his profession. His service extends into the metro area and Cedar Valley region where he participates on a number of economic development and community service boards. Dave is President of the First National Bank of Cedar Falls. He and his wife, Jan, have two grown daughters.