Pedestrian Mall — Local services in Iowa City

I've lived about half my life in Iowa City, about a third living out east, and most of the rest living down south. I've stayed out west for extended periods in between. All those other places have their good points, but to me Iowa City is just simply a better place to live than any of them. The place has a soul all its own. Not sure if that soul has a specific physical location, but one were to go out in search of it, I can't think of a better place to start looking than the Pedestrian Mall. If fun people of most any description are to be found sharing a happy vibe about the town at any hour of the day, look for them at the Ped Mall - because if you miss out on that spot, you're missing out on a lot: all sorts of great food, multiple live theatre venues, outdoor festivals of all sorts, free live music on weekends, an excellent independent book store, a huge playground for the kiddos, an independent cinema, scads of locally-owned shops, public art everywhere, lines of poetry and short prose literally paved right into the sidewalks, outdoor pianos that anyone so inclined can (and often does) simply show up and play, a free Carnegie library that positively clobbers what I've often found in cities 10x as large, a free outdoor pickleball court, terrific night life, an organic grocery store with a buffet/bar/patio that all stay open late ... and since it's in the very heart of downtown, it's walkable from pretty much wherever else you were planning to go: the UI Pentacrest, Goosetown, museums, Robert A. Lee Rec Center, the observatory, the farmer's market. Some people get there by catching a free city bus from wherever, since they all stop just one block away at the Old Capitol Center. Others prefer to park their cars in one of the nearby ramps and walk about the same distance. I usually...

What's not to love about the Ped Mall? After a recent multi-million streetscape renovation, the area is infused with better lighting, plantings, art, a new Weatherdance Fountain Stage and much more. Many longtime retailers and restaurants are still thriving, but now there's a welcome, healthy mix of new businesses, too. From women's boutiques to sustainable home goods and performing arts spaces to a movie theater, library and large playground, there's something for the whole family.

I love that the city and the Iowa City Downtown District continue to program events like the Downtown Block Party, Small Business Saturday/pop-up shops and live music in the summer.

While many cities have tried to master a vibrant, walkable downtown, few communities have been successful at it. Thankfully, Iowa City is...

It's gone downhill, the artisans, craft people and local characters that made it what it is, have been alienated and pushed aside by the city in favor of making a new image. It was the heart of the City, all cultures and diversity was abundant prior to the changes. Now, it's a political statement of sadly changing times. They destroyed parking lots in favor of buildings with non, which creates a huge problem unless you're willing to pay(more than you should,...