Cedar Falls, Iowa

Winner of a Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architecture, 2023

This development has transformed the riverfront of downtown Cedar Falls. The new urban neighborhood features professional lofts and condos, coworking and collaboration spaces, and new retail and restaurant opportunities that combine to bring the city back to the river. Three of the planned four buildings have been completed and the development figures to roughly double the downtown property tax base and create new jobs and commerce downtown. Developing the site included cleaning up a former scrap metal operation and remediating the soil with brownfield funding. RKLA was hired early in the master plan process and has directed the site design including paving, retaining walls, lighting, site furniture, and plantings. The focal point of the development will be a large public plaza that connects the downtown to the river with a grand staircase, performance stage and lighting, outdoor dining, public art, and multipurpose space that will host many different events for the community. Coordination with the City, Community Main Street, and other potential users has been key to the planning process for what will be a great resource for the community.