Q. Being from the North Cedar neighborhood, I'm curious as to what impact you see from sectioning Cedar Falls in neighborhoods as having. I'm a fan of the idea, but I'm concerned for North Cedar because it already seems to have that "neighborhood" feel-- and a heavily stigmatized one at that. How do you propose to bring North Cedar into the fold of Cedar Falls again? - Megan
A, Megan, thanks for the question, and for allowing me the time to put together a response. I've had other poeple express concerns, too, about my proposal for identifying residential areas (like North Cedar, Cedar Heights, Northwest Cedar Falls) and encouraging leaders to create neighborhood associations in those areas. I definitely appreciate their concerns, that we're "One Cedar Falls" and that we don't want to create artificial distinctions that could result in an "us-vs-them" mentality among our residents.
But I believe that building out nine Neighborhood Associations to represent neighborhoods in a Neighborhood Services Committee would actually beneifit North Cedar, by helping to give it a regular seat at the table when it comes to applying for grants, advocating for city infrastructure projects, and sharing best practices with other associations. I've been amazed at the community spirit shown by North Cedar residents. On Nextdoor.com, you adamantly identify with North Cedar (not "Cottage Row" or "Big Woods" or "Lone Tree") as you neighborhood, and the North Cedar Neighborhood Association covers everything north of the river.
As far as the future of the North Cedar neighborhood, and how we help to put it on an even footing with the rest of the city, I certainly see city infrastructure projects as a key help to that....and I'm disappointed that the Center Street improvement project seems to be stuck in the mire of Flood Recovery money decisions. I see these improvements as a Must Have for recovery, not a 'nice to have'. If we're going to attract additional development and investment in North Cedar, the city needs to show it's own confidence in the area by making it's own investment. That's why I'm disappointed that the city's Public Works Complex wasn't built in the Northern Cedar Falls Industrial Park (also funded significantly with Flood Recovery funds).
The biggest aspect, though, is my desire to see North Cedar more connected into the decision-making and 'publicity' of Cedar Falls. It's happening already through the great work being done by NCNA and other civic groups, as well as from private investment from places like Cook's Outdoors. Just like how the University Avenue project has spurred businesses to spruce up their storefronts and make other facility investments, the Center Street reconstruction project will help spur new life and encourage residential and retail development in North Cedar. We just need the political will do to it.