Iowa City Looks to Attract Wind Power

Working with ICAD Group on an Wind Energy Supply Chain Campus

Chris Rhatigan Iowa City Press-Citizen

The city of Iowa City is seeking to purchase the 173-acre Bonnie Prybil estate and convert it into an industrial development.  First, the land must be annexed into Iowa City from Johnson County. The estate extends from the south side of 420th Street near Highway 6 across the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks.

Planning and Community Development Director Jeff Davidson presented the city's plan for the site to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at their informal meeting Thursday night.  The supervisors voiced no objections to the annexation of the property at the meeting.

The Iowa City Council has approved a measure allowing city staff to negotiate with the property owners for the land. The council also approved the eventual extension of city services to the property, such as sewer lines, water and road maintenance.

Davidson said the city is negotiating the price of the property with the owners.  "We're pretty confident that we're going to get this done," he said.  He said that the extension of services is estimated to cost $5 million to $6 million.  The land next to the property is Scott Six Industrial Park at the city limits.  "This would be the next logical extension of that area," Davidson said.

He said that the city has been in contact with wind power developers interested in building in the area. Previously, the city did not own a site that would be suitable for wind power, but the Prybil estate would fit that purpose.

"We're very interested in working something out with them," he said. The area's rail access could be a draw for wind power developers, Davidson said.  He added that patience is needed in order to attract industrial development. Davidson said that although a private developer might not have that luxury, the city does.

The property could be ready for development next year, according to Davidson.