Green Oak project gets national award

KEOKUK - Keokuk 600 Block Downtown Upper Story Housing Conversion project has recently been recognized with a 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations. The project was nominated by Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission.
Green Oak Development completed the project, which will result in 20 total residential units in the 619, 623, 625, and 629 Main Street buildings with lower commercial space. The City of Keokuk acquired the vacant, dilapidated buildings nearly eight years ago to give someone a chance to redevelop them. The City worked with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) to structure the project, secure outside grants, and recruit a developer to complete the project. 
The buildings required substantial rehabilitation, counting structural, mechanical, electric work and exterior finishes. All exterior walls were either completely rebuilt or substantially rehabilitated. “The project was a result of great partnerships, execution, and creativity,” said Michael Mohrfeld, president of Green Oak Development. “The City and SEIRPC were outstanding partners to work with, from beginning to end. I’m very proud of our crews and contractors that found ways to overcome the challenges presented by modernizing and repairing 100+ year-old structures.”
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through innovative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.    

This year’s cohort included 90 impactful projects led by 79 organizations across 24 states. These award-winning efforts were recognized during NADO’s 2025 Annual Training Conference, held this past October in Salt Lake City, Utah. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at www.nado.org/2025impactawards/.
“The Impact Awards are an annual reminder of the creativity and commitment that regional development organizations bring to their communities,” said 2024-2025 NADO President Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Region XII Council of Governments in Iowa. “This year’s awardees show how local and regional partnerships, driven by vision and collaboration, can lead to lasting positive change across our country.”
“SEIRPC worked with the City for about six years before the right conditions were present to move ahead with the project. Green Oak Development hit a home run with the project, and we’re glad to have played a small part,” stated Mike Norris, SEIRPC executive director.
“Downtown has a lot of potential, and this project proves it,” said Mayor Kathie Mahoney. “The City was a committed partner to this redevelopment and the results show what is possible with the right partners.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.