Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What has happened at Dry Run Creek?"

Lila asks, "Upon whose authority were the sheltering trees and bushes along the Dry Run Creek demolished and what is the plan to prevent erosion from the first rain onward?  Take a drive or walk along South Ave across from the construction site and you will immediately see my concerns.  Is this even legal?  Looks terrible, seems pointless.  What possible harm were a few trees and grasses and bushes and bird and wildlife sheltering doing?"

Mr. Answer Person says: "First, let's correct a few misconceptions.  The majority of the land that Dry Run Creek passes through is private property, not city property.  That's the case with the former Wapsie Produce property, which is now being converted into a development of up to four condominiums.

So, to answer your question, yes, this is legal because it is private property for which the owner has received site plan approval.

Now, to tackle your final question, the plans call for several stormwater runoff improvements on the property.  In fact, eventually the Dry Run Creek portion of the property will be given to the City.  It's part of a plan to improve the ability of the property to handle stormwater and prevent flooding. 

So hold on--the Dry Run Creek is actually getting improved in the area of the new condominium project.

Litter and dead tree branches have been lining Dry Run Creek