Iowa City officials are now accepting and encouraging residents and business owners of Iowa City to submit ideas about growth and development of Iowa City over the next 10 to 20 years to aid in updating the city’s comprehensive plan, according to a city press release.

The initiative is a part of the new "Good Ideas" campaign implemented by Iowa City’s Planning Department as it begins an "Iowa City 2030" public planning process to update the comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 1997.

To submit ideas, Iowa City residents must go to the city’s website to answer three questions regarding life in Iowa City and share an idea.

The process will include two public workshops in which residents and city staff will have planning discussions. They are slated for Feb. 1 and Feb. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.

City planners hope to build on district efforts such as the UNESCO City of Literature designation and redevelopment of the Riverfront Crossings District, as well as new community topics such energy and resource consumption, flooding, and the economy.

— by Asmaa Elkeurti