Mayor, council identify 5 focus areas after feedback from over 400 survey responses, focus groups, input from city staff
Proposed Vision: Cedar Falls is a safe, welcoming community with distinct neighborhoods, a small town feel balanced with big city amenities, and a strong sense of connection that creates the magic that makes it feel like home. Citizens are now invited to reflect on the draft vision statement and focus areas and share their feedback at bit.ly/CFTomorrow by April 25.
Cedar Falls, IA – Following the public launch of Charting Tomorrow, the community-driven strategic plan initiative which kicked off in early 2025, the City of Cedar Falls is excited to unveil an initial draft vision and focus areas with the community.
“This initial draft represents our first take at identifying what matters most to our residents and what the community wants to see prioritized over the coming years. Like all drafts, though, we still need more input and thoughts from the community. We’re looking forward to seeing what the early feedback is,” said Mayor Danny Laudick.
This draft vision statement as well as five strategic focus areas were developed by the Mayor and City Council based on feedback from over 400 community survey responses, multiple resident focus groups, and input from City staff as part of the Charting Tomorrow plan. Outreach included a public survey which took place in February 2025, an online discussion board, and stakeholder interviews, and next steps will include detailed actions and measurables toward each of these focus areas.
Citizens are now invited to reflect on the draft vision statement and focus areas and share their feedback at bit.ly/CFTomorrow by April 25. The vision statement and focus areas are:
Proposed Vision: Cedar Falls is a safe, welcoming community with distinct neighborhoods, a small town feel balanced with big city amenities, and a strong sense of connection that creates the magic that makes it feel like home.
Proposed Focus Areas:
- Enhanced Recreational Amenities: Providing recreational amenities and spaces for the community to create lifelong memories, attract and retain new and existing community members, and provide for healthy and active lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities
- Well Maintained Infrastructure: Strategically investing in modern infrastructure that meets the current and future demands of our growing community
- Thriving and Connected Neighborhoods: Creating safe, welcoming, walkable, and accessible neighborhoods where people can live, work, and gather through community-driven planning and thoughtful development
- Diversified Economic Development: Attracting and retaining a healthy and diversified local economy where individuals and businesses invest and thrive
- High Performing Government: Serving the community with accessible, reliable, and highly functional city government in a fiscally responsible manner
All members of the community are strongly encouraged to visit the website and provide their feedback so we can shape the future of Cedar Falls together.
About Charting Tomorrow
Charting Tomorrow will identify a strategic direction for the next five years. This direction will help pinpoint projects to serve the overall 15–20-year vision for the city. The plan will include community goals as well as opportunities for new partnerships and economic development. It will also evaluate existing and future public facilities and services, consider the City’s allocation of resources, and determine how the quality of life for citizens can be further enhanced while maintaining the City’s commitment to fiscal sustainability. Learn more and get involved at bit.ly/CFTomorrow.