MUSCATINE, Iowa –The Gas Dock, located on the Muscatine riverfront in the channel just upriver from the Muscatine Boat Harbor, will begin serving customers at 5 p.m. Friday (May 27), weather permitting, according to the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department. The Gas Dock service will have both gas and diesel available along with pump out service for boaters.
The Gas Dock will be open 5-7 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Fuel is also available during the weekdays by calling the Parks and Recreation office at (563) 263-0241 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The Parks and Recreation Department reminds patrons that slip rentals are currently being taken, and that the Muscatine Municipal Boat Harbor is the perfect place to store your boat for the season. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department office to reserve your slip over the phone at (563) 263-0241 or via email at parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov.
For more information, please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine was assigned an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service based on the city’s stable population trends, a growing tax base, stable financial operations, and healthy reserves. The rating is for the $6.19 million General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2022, that the City received bids on Thursday (May 19).
The Series 2022 bond issue will be used to fund a variety of City projects that have recently been completed, are currently underway, or will be underway in calendar years 2022 and 2023. The projects and the proposed bond issue were reviewed with City Council during the budget sessions in January and February.
The Muscatine City Council approved the issuance of the bonds on March 3.
The estimated total bond issue is for $6.19 million with $2.5 million earmarked for the Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project. Other projects that are part of the bond issuance include $1.08 million for a new fire engine, ambulance, and “demo” ambulance, $200,000 for the vehicle wash bay at Public Works, $200,000 for building demolition projects, $338,500 for playground and Aquatic Center repairs, $450,000 to replace the tipping floor at the Muscatine Transfer Station, $725,000 for the local share of the Park Avenue 4-to-3 Lane Conversion Project, $195,000 for the local share of 2019 flood damages, and $274,000 for deferred building maintenance projects.
Moody’s Investors Service also maintained the Aa2 rating on the city’s outstanding general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) debt that will total approximately $17 million.
Muscatine has had an Aa2 rating since 2010. Ratings of Aa1, Aa2, and Aa3 mean that the bonds are of high quality by all standards, but carry a slightly greater degree of long-term investment risk. The Aa2 rating is also just two steps away from the top rating of Aaa.
“This is very good news for a community of our size,” Nancy Lueck, Finance Director for the City of Muscatine said. “We are one of the smallest in population in our group.”
Governance factors are a key material consideration for the city according to Moody’s Investors Services.
“The city’s management team has kept balanced operations since fiscal 2009,” the press release stated. “The city has a formal fund balance policy to maintain an unreserved fund balance of at least 16.7 percent of expenditures.”
Significant economic activity that drives both expansion and diversification of the city’s tax base and improvement in resident incomes are two of the areas that Moody’s cited as factors that could lead to an upgrade in the bond rating along with a reduction in pension burden.
The expansion of existing industry and the addition of new businesses to the community are helping to achieve that goal, which will also help a second factor, an improved socioeconomic characteristic to the community. Moody’s noted that the median income is lower than the state and national average but housing costs are also comparatively low.
Moody’s Investors Service was also encouraged by the city’s response to the coronavirus outbreak while working with local, state, and federal partners to keep the community informed about the coronavirus.
The sale of the bonds will be used to finance several projects that will continue to add to the benefits of living in Muscatine. Part of the funds will be used for completed projects while other parts will be used for projects underway, or projects that will be underway in the next calendar year.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Come explore the lives of children from all different kinds of circumstances through the exhibition, “Where Children Sleep: Photographs by James Mollison,” at the Muscatine Art Center. This revealing series of photographs shares the diverse stories of children in many different countries.
Each studio-style portrait is accompanied by a detailed study of the child’s “bedroom,” which can range from elaborate sanctuaries to the barest spaces set aside for sleep.
The photographs and their related text panels convey the story of childhood including insecurity, hope, pain, comfort, and doubt. Economic inequality, children’s rights, and how we are defined by our possessions and formed by our circumstances are some of the complex social, typological, and cultural issues that resonate in Mollison’s work.
“When I was asked to come up with an idea for engaging with children’s rights, I found myself thinking about my bedroom: how significant it was during my childhood, and how it reflected what I had and who I was,” Mollison said. “It occurred to me that a way to address some of the complex situations and social issues affecting children would be to look at the bedrooms of children in all kinds of different circumstances. From the start, I didn’t want it just to be about ‘needy children’ in the developing world, but rather something more inclusive….”
The project was originally called “Bedrooms”, but Mollison realized that the experience of having a “bedroom” did not apply to many of the children.
“Millions of families around the world sleep together in one room, and millions of children sleep in a space of convenience, rather than a place they can in any sense call their room,” Mollison said. “I came to appreciate just how privileged I am to have had a personal kingdom to sleep in and grow.”
Muscatine Art Center Director Melanie Alexander explained that the exhibition was really created with upper elementary and middle school students in mind.
“In selecting this exhibition, we hope children from the Muscatine area will become curious about the lives of children who are growing up in other countries and under much different circumstances,” Alexander said. “The use of bedroom pictures makes it possible to imagine aspects of each child’s daily life.”
One child featured in the exhibition is Prena who lives in Kathmandu, Nepal. The following description is given of her space and story:
Her room is a tiny, cell-like space at the top of the house where she is employed as a domestic worker. Her diet is mainly rice and vegetables. She is fourteen years old and one of thousands of child domestic workers in the country. Prena carries out household chores such as sweeping, cleaning, cooking, and washing. She starts work at five in the morning and finishes at six in the evening. For this, she earns 500 Nepali rupees per month (about US $5.20). She sends the money back to her parents, who have eight other children to support. Prena visits her family twice a year. She goes to school three times a week—which is the main highlight in her life. She admires her teacher, who has made it his mission to educate children like Prena. She would like to be a doctor when she is older.
“I think both children and adults will find the portraits, photographs of bedrooms, and accompanying descriptions fascinating,” Alexander said “I hope the exhibition will encourage people to reflect on the experiences of others and become more curious about our world.”
The exhibition, “Where Children Sleep: Photographs by James Mollison,” will be on view at the Muscatine Art Center from May 26 through August 21, 2022 with free admissio. The exhibition is organized by Curatorial Exhibitions, Pasadena, California.
About James Mollison: James Mollison was born in Kenya in 1973 and grew up in England. After studying Art and Design at Oxford Brookes University, and later film and photography at Newport School of Art and Design, he moved to Italy to work at Benetton’s creative lab, Fabrica. Since August 2011, Mollison has been working as a creative editor on Colors Magazine with Patrick Waterhouse. In 2009, he won the Royal Photographic Society’s Vic Odden Award, for notable achievement in the art of photography by a British photographer aged 35 or under. His work has been widely published throughout the world including The New York Times Magazine, the Guardian magazine, The Paris Review, GQ, New York Magazine, and Le Monde.
Visitors to the Muscatine Art Center encounter paintings made by artists recognized around the world, fascinating objects connected to Muscatine’s past, beautifully crafted decorative arts, charming period rooms, and a Japanese Garden installed nearly a century ago. Learners of all ages can pique their curiosity through changing exhibitions, classes, and events. The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m-5 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. For more information, visit the Muscatine Art Center website, visit the Art Center page on the City of Muscatine website, or follow the Art Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, Please contact Katy Loos, Program Coordinator, with any questions about upcoming programs at (563) 263-8282 or email her at kloos@muscatineiowa.gov.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Crews from the Department of Public Works (DPW) have been hard at work this week repairing soft spots on Robin Road, and that work will shift to East 5th Street on Thursday.
The 2021-2022 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Project is set to resume the week of May 16 with two street sections receiving attention this week from the DPW Street Maintenance Division ahead of receiving new asphalt.
Brandt Construction Company will resume milling and putting down an asphalt overlay four street segments and four alley segments as part of the 2021-22 project that is to be completed this spring.
The Street Maintenance Division has been repairing soft spots on Robin Road since Monday and will switch to East 5th Street Thursday. Lane restrictions on Robin Road are in place where work is being undertaken.
Meanwhile East 5th Street will be closed to all traffic starting Thursday (May 12) from Mulberry to Orange where most of the soft spots are located. Additional soft spots from Orange to Cypress Streets will also be repaired by DPW crews. Some additional closures and lane restrictions will be implemented over the next three weeks as repairs, milling, and asphalt overlay work on East 5th Street is completed. Work is tentatively scheduled to be completed by June 3, weather permitting.
A detour map is posted on the City of Muscatine website or available by clicking 5th Street Detour.
Muscatine Power & Water (MPW) has completed the replacement of a water main on Fair Acres Drive from Bidwell Road to Crestline Drive, with that section scheduled to be the first street segment to receive an asphalt overlay by Brandt Construction. The schedule for the other street segments will depend on the repairs to the soft spots on Robin Road (Bidwell Road to Sunrise Circle) and East 5th Street (Mulberry to Cypress). The other street segment that is part of the current contract is Bartlett Street (Mulberry to Cedar).
Four alley segments will also be completed in the next two months including the alley between Lincoln Boulevard and Grand Avenue (from Clay to Jackson), the alley between Lake Park Boulevard and McArthur Street (from 2nd Avenue to Lake Park Boulevard), the alley between Taylor and Clinton streets (from New Hampshire to Hershey), and the alley between Mary Place and Orchard Avenue (Orchard Avenue to the Dead End).
Lane restrictions will be in place while Brandt Construction mills the streets and alleys, and during the asphalt overlay process. Drivers are urged to use caution when in construction areas and obey traffic control devices and flaggers.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution when travelling through construction zones, obey traffic control devices, and be aware of construction workers. Use an alternate route if possible.
Click on CONSTRUCTION to visit the Department of Public Works Construction Projects page where more information can be found on City of Muscatine construction projects.
An interactive map is available showing current street closures and street work.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – From swim lessons and tee-ball to soccer camp and sand volleyball, there is an opportunity for individuals of any age to be active and engaged this summer through one of the many activities offered by the Muscatine Parks and Recreation.
Keep an eye out for the 2022 Summer Brochure at various businesses around Muscatine as well as on the Parks and Recreation page of the City of Muscatine website.
Plan for all your favorite activities and conveniently register over the phone at (563) 263-0241, in the Parks and Recreation office located in the lower level of City Hall at 215 Sycamore Street, or online. Please be reminded that a $5.00 non-resident fee is assessed for registrants who live outside of the Muscatine city limits.
Please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 for more information and to register.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Volunteer firefighters from Fruitland, Montpelier, Buffalo, and Blue Grass received Hazardous Material (Hazmat) training from the Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) as part of their Firefighter 1 curriculum recently. The 16-hour course on Hazmat Operations was held Saturday at Station 2 in Muscatine.
“This is part of the 160-hour Firefighter 1 program that they need to be certified by the State of Iowa,” Jason Vershoore, Fire Mechanic and Fire Inspector for the MFD, said.
Vershoore was also the lead instructor for the class and was assisted by Firefighter Craig Chelf.
This is the second year that the MFD has conducted the three-day class to help the volunteer firefighters earn their certification.
Vershoore, and other Muscatine firefighters, conduct the class on their off-days.
“I think they all enjoyed themselves,” Vershoore said of those attending the class.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Iowa Avenue will be closed to traffic from 3rd Street to 4th Street starting Monday, March 14, as Graham Construction Company completes demolition work on the former Musser Public Library building and connects utility services. The work is expected to take 45 days and should be completed by April 30 depending on the weather.
A one-block detour has been established that will take Iowa Avenue traffic to Sycamore Street and back to Iowa Avenue. Access to Muscatine County Human Services and Muscatine Center for Social Action will be maintained by the contractor.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Firefighters from the Muscatine Fire Department will be participating in the 2022 Corridor Heart Walk, part of the American Heart Association (AHA) national heart walk events, on May 7 in Kinnick Stadium on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
The firefighters are being led by this year’s captain Firefighter/Paramedic Colton Pauls who noted that in 2020 almost two-thirds of firefighter deaths were related to heart disease and complications.
Firefighters will be asking the public for help in raising money in support of the AHA Heart Walk and to support the American Heart Association staff, volunteers, and researchers who continuously supply research, statistics, and promote heart and vascular health.
For more information or to donate, visit MFD WALK or visit the Muscatine Fire Department Facebook page.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Grandview Avenue will be closed to traffic from Briers Ditch (north of the entrance to the Rose Bowl) to just south of the Musser Street intersection starting Wednesday, March 2.
The closure will allow the replacement of a culvert at Briers Ditch and additional underground work including the installation of sewer and water main. The closure is expected to last at least three weeks depending on the weather.
Access to all businesses located within that area will be maintained, if possible, from either the Musser Street intersection or the Houser Street intersection. Traffic will be detoured at Houser onto Sampson Street to Steward Road/Oregon Street and back to Grandview Avenue. (See DETOUR map).
The second year of the two-year Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project opened on Monday with milling of Grandview Avenue from Houser Street to Musser Street. Drivers are reminded that the milled pavement will be rough. Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution when travelling through the construction zone, and find alternate routes when possible.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution when travelling through the construction zone, obey traffic control devices, and be aware of workers. Use an alternate route if possible.
For more information on City of Muscatine construction projects click on CONSTRUCTION to visit the Department of Public Works Construction Projects page.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Art Center will be closed to the public from February 21 through March 8 to facilitate the changing of exhibitions. Art Center staff will be working behind the scenes to pack up the Nature Connects exhibition, deep clean the facility, and install several new exhibitions during this time period.
During the closure, appointments must be made in advance by calling 563-263-8282. Appointments are available Monday through Friday.
Visitors to the Muscatine Art Center encounter paintings made by artists recognized around the world, fascinating objects connected to Muscatine’s past, beautifully crafted decorative arts, charming period rooms, and a Japanese Garden installed nearly a century ago. Learners of all ages can pique their curiosity through changing exhibitions, classes, and events.For more information, visit Muscatine Art Center, visit the Art Center Page on the City of Muscatine website, or follow the Art Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram,
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The project was originally called “Bedrooms”, but Mollison realized that the experience of having a “bedroom” did not apply to many of the children. 
“I think both children and adults will find the portraits, photographs of bedrooms, and accompanying descriptions fascinating,” Alexander said “I hope the exhibition will encourage people to reflect on the experiences of others and become more curious about our world.”
