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City of Coralville Rain Forest Statement

Iowa City Press-Citizen

December 8, 2005

[Note: This material is copyright by the Press-Citizen, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of the Iowa City Press-Citizen.]


Environmental Project Update
City Representatives

Representatives from the City of Coralville met via conference call December 8 with the executive team from The Environmental Project to discuss the future of the proposed indoor rain forest and associated educational activities in the Iowa River Landing area.

The meeting was to be held at the Iowa City Airport but snowy weather called for a change in plans. The conference call included a discussion of the project’s history and a review of the points in Governor Robert Ray’s November 18 letter to Mayor Jim Fausett. The points involved site size and location, financing, and other support issues.

City representatives said they believe they could reach agreement with all of the points in the Governor’s letter through negotiations. City representatives also said they believe strongly in the project and believe the land along Interstate 80 is the best location in the state for the project, but they will not compete with other communities.

The City’s negotiating team also indicated they will immediately explore all other development alternatives for the highly visible and easily accessed property.