We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Great Plains Action Society's (GPAS) proposed Indigenous-led Urban Resilience and Innovation Hub and the rezoning request for the properties located along Maiden Lane, East Benton Street and Gilbert Court.

GPAS's vision for the hub is a testament to the power of Indigenous-led initiatives to reimagine the world and establish a regenerative economy and a just transition that prioritizes healthy and thriving communities. The hub will serve as a community center, providing a space for education, training, and community engagement, with a focus on the needs of the disenfranchised, such as Indigenous and other POC, low-income, 2SLGBTQ, and disabled folks.

The hub's various components, including the Hub Center, Urban Farm, Healing Justice House, Entrepreneurial Incubators, and Mutual Aid Cafe, Urban Farm, and Staff Offices will work together as a micro-community to foster a culture of collective liberation and climate resilience.

• The Hub Center will serve as the main community space with multi-purpose rooms, offices, storage, an industrial kitchen, and an art space.

• The Healing Justice House will be run by therapists and social workers who understand that individual healing is linked to collective liberation.

• The Entrepreneurial Incubators will have 5 spaces, which will serve as a supportive ecosystem for early-stage entrepreneurs to develop and grow their innovative ideas, fostering economic growth, job creation, and community development.

• The Mutual Aid Cafe will implement a pay-what-you-can model and establish a community fund to support local social justice initiatives.

• The Urban Farm that will foster regenerative cultural practices, which will promote Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and climate awareness in the entire region.

• The Staff Office building is vital for the functioning of any organization--providing essential support services that enable the smooth operation of day-to-day activities.

We are impressed by GPAS's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring that all community members feel comfortable and valued. The hub's focus on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and its aim to curb the climate crisis align with the city's goals of promoting sustainability and environmental justice. The rezoning request is a crucial step in bringing this vision to life. We urge you to support GPAS's request for a Community Commercial (CC-2) zoning designation, which will allow for the redevelopment of the current aging properties into a vibrant community space.

We believe that this Urban Resilience and Innovation Hub will be a valuable asset to the Iowa City community, promoting unity, social justice, and environmental sustainability. We strongly encourage you to approve the rezoning request and support GPAS’s cutting-edge work.