The grant would be matched by city funds to pay for $1.5 million in enhancements when University is rebuilt from U.S. Highway 63 to the Cedar Falls city limits at Midway Drive.

The AECOM engineering firm is getting input from city officials and working on plans to beautify the University Avenue corridor, which could include trees, plantings, bus shelters, banners, enhanced crosswalks, decorative lights and even sculptures.

While AECOM created a list of some $3.2 million in possible enhancements, the city has only included $1.5 million for enhancements in the overall $38 million estimated budget for the University project.

Some council members have suggested searching for additional funding to provide more of the amenities as work on the project proceeds.

Neighboring Cedar Falls, which is nearing completion of its reconstruction of University Avenue, received a $450,000 BHCGA grant for pedestrian, bike safety and landscaping improvements.

Waterloo received $28 million from the Iowa Department of Transportation when it took over jurisdiction of its nearly three-mile stretch of University. The city is still looking for funds to complete the project.

Plans call for the first reconstruction phase, from Greenhill Road to Ansborough Avenue, to begin in the spring. The second phase would rebuild the road from Greenhill west to Midway while the final phase would run from Ansborough east to U.S. 63.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall. Other scheduled business includes:

The second reading of an ordinance to ban the use of consumer fireworks in the city limits. The first reading passed on a 4-3 council vote.

The final reading of ordinances to renew undeveloped portions of the Northeast Industrial Area and San Marnan Drive tax-increment financing districts for 20 years.