Main Street Iowa/IEDA visit to Jefferson

Jefferson Matters: Main Street hosted officials from the State of Iowa on Wednesday, July 24 in downtown Jefferson.  This visit was part of the application for a Great American Main Street community but National Main Street CEO Patrice Frey was not able to be involved at the last minute.  Main Street Iowa coordinator Michael Wagler, Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham, and IEDA Community Development Division Administrator Tim Waddell spent several hours with the Main Street board members and community members.  This provided an update on projects in Jefferson’s Main Street District as the state of Iowa is interested in what can be done to assist with the progress we are experiencing.

Tour stops included:

• The Welcome Center/Thomas Jefferson Gardens
• The Jefferson Forge with Chris Deal
• City-acquired buildings with Nick Sorensen
• Lunch on the courthouse lawn with Tower Tunes Live concert of Rick Morain and lunch by Doc’s Stadium
• Ring Out for Art sculptures, RAM Pride piano, on the plaza
• Mahanay Bell Tower tour with Pat Richards pointing out rooftop art, housing in middle school, Greene County Early Learning Center plans,
• Prairie Lakes AEA apartment Challenge Grant tour
• Sally’s Alley & plans for Arch Alley
• Mini-bell Towers
• RVP~1875 & History Boy Theatre