Veterans Way
THIS IS WATERLOO'S VETERANS WAY
Waterloo's Veterans Way is a place-based art and history walk along 4th Street in Downtown Waterloo. The design includes multiple civic destination projects and a connecting walk, with thematic elements honoring Waterloo’s rich history of military service. Additional physical and pedestrian improvements will enhance safety, connectivity, and walkability. THE 4TH STREET CORRIDOR CONNECTS THE PROJECTS OUTLINED HERE along with several existing veterans memorials and commemorative spaces, such as the Vietnam Memorial Monument, Veterans Memorial Hall at Soldiers/Sailors Park, Prairie Pathways Plaza, and Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.
THIS STORY WILL CONNECT THE EAST AND WEST SIDES OF WATERLOO across the 4th Street Bridge, becoming a neighborhood-to-downtown connector and economic driver that attracts new visitors to downtown Waterloo.
PHYSICAL AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS will enhance safety, connectivity, and walkability.
THE VETERANS WAY CREATES A MEANINGFUL DISTRICT, increasing tourism with wide-spread economic impact for the city and region.
View Power Point presentation of Veterans Way Projects here
The sites and projects linked together along Veterans Way
Sullivan Brothers Family Memorial
The Sullivan Brothers Memorial, located at the
convention center, will highlight the story of the Sullivan family, the brothers, and the family’s service to the country. The purpose of the memorial is to inspire people to gather together and to serve their community. The memorial will feature activities and content that honor and respect veterans and their families.
View the project overview video here
View the project Power Point presentation here
This will be completed in Phase II.
Waterloo Convention Center Signage
The Sullivan Brothers Memorial plaza includes a new monument sign with a video board feature, as well as social media-friendly letter sign that spells out, “Waterloo” for “must-have” photo-ops for visitors and residents.
Cedar River Landing and River Road Parkway
This exciting project brings new urban living, recreation, and leisure opportunities to the downtown riverfront. This project consists of a multi-story mixed-use building with first floor commercial space and upper floor residential development. Public improvements include trails to the riverfront and permanent docks for kayaks, canoes, and recreational boaters, with easy access to the amenities of downtown Waterloo. Trailhead parking for visitors and future retail/restaurant establishments are planned. Outdoor plaza space connects to bicycle, walking, and water trails where people can gather, play, and share outdoor meals overlooking the Cedar River.
This will be completed in Phase III.
Waterloo River Lights Experience
A new, innovative public art installation that transforms the Cedar River into a canvas of living art. Beams of light turn the 4th Street bridge canopy and adjacent light towers into glittering jewels that reflect off the cascading waters of the Cedar River. Lighting under the bridges symbolically unites the two sides of the river. This project served as an economic development engine, a source of community advancement, a tool for visitor attraction, and a destination for recreation, art, and entertainment. Lighting displays will be programmed for holidays, events, and community celebrations.
The Waterloo Veterans Walk is a placed-based art and history linkage with pedestrian safety improvements and thematic elements honoring Waterloo’s rich veteran’s past. It serves as place to reflect and learn about the region’s Veteran history, function as a neighborhood-to-downtown connector, and an economic driver to the region by developing another exemplary reason to visit Waterloo.
Pocket Park on Commercial Street
Across from the newly renovated convention center and Best Western Plus hotel, this little pocket park provides an opportunity for a restive plaza or green space in downtown Waterloo. With some quiet seating, public art, or a small active football/frisbee space, this tucked-away public space could provide a special enhancement to downtown visitors’ crossroads.
See artist concept here
This will be completed in Phase II.
Living Lamps Project – 4th Street Underpass Connection
A lighting project intended to bring glimmer and gleam where 4th Street crosses under Highway 218. This illumination will brighten dark spaces and connect the Church Row neighborhood to downtown core and amenities. Possible themes include lights that signify community stories and/or pillars of light representing community values.
This will be completed in Phase II.