City council views CIP projects via bus - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Since last week, the city council has been stuck inside chambers, reviewing the more than $270 million worth of capital improvement funding requests for the next five fiscal years.

Thursday, they boarded a bus to check out a few of them first hand. City officials say the trip gives the council clarity before approving a project.

"We do it every year just to showcase to our council what we have going on," said Jeff Hanson, head of Sioux City's Community Development Operations.

It's a lot for fiscal year 2014 alone. At the Art Center, department heads are requesting almost $100 thousand for renovations; the Convention Center, another $100 thousand to start replacing HVAC units. Public Works is asking for more than $400 thousand next fiscal year to design and move dirt for a new campground at Bacon Creek Park.

The trip was also a chance to showcase some projects in the works, and celebrate some successes, like a big up tick in housing numbers for 2012.

"We received 81 new housing starts in Sioux City. Our last record was 75 in the year 2002," said Hanson.

City council members say the trip was worth their time.

"Everybody can get on and at least talk about the projects as you are seeing them, so you have a better understanding of what they actually are when you drive by them," said Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott.