Value of downtown effort hinges on pride

IDEAS

We really need short-term actionable attainable ideas. So hopefully that's what's gonna come out of it. That's what I asked for. I did also ask for resources on how to get some of these done like grants and those types of things. We did talk a little bit about some of that when they were here so hopefully there will be some options there”

Savanna Collier, Executive Director Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce

FORT MADISON – A downtown needs assessment for Fort Madison is pointing to some gaps in collaboration, according to the Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Resource Center spent three days in Fort Madison last week and sponsored a public survey on the needs of Fort Madison’s downtown district.
The group offered a public presentation on their visit and survey results last week at Turnwater Bar & Grill.
Some of the main areas of need for the downtown prioritized by the group were physical improvements, getting more people into the downtown area on a regular basis, and collaboration between stakeholders such as the city, the chamber, and business and property owners.
Savanna Collier, Executive Director of the Fort Madison Chamber said a full report is part of the $2,500 assessment sponsored by Climax Molybdenum.
“They said a couple of months so I'm not sure on an exact date for that or what that will look like,” she said.
“I know they're going to give us like a full report with some actionable items and things we can do.”
Collier said she asked for things that were attainable with small resources and direction on who can implement them.
“We can't do it all out of my office. we've tried since the Main Street (program) closed.  We've taken on as much as we could, but giving us ideas on how we can manage those things would be helpful.”
Part of the public presentation focused on not being able to discern the downtown as people who are traveling through the area look for places to stop and for things to explore.
One of the professionals who focuses on landscape and signages said he came in from the west side of town on the bypass, drove through town to the east side, and said he had trouble finding the downtown.
That prompted recommendation for historical signage that’s effective and moves people toward the downtown and the historic depot.
Much of the time was spent on creating energy around the spaces downtown, using empty spots for gathering and events and creating themed events around already sustainable local events like the Rodeo. Other suggestions included focusing on the community’s river and rail. With events already on the books, the group said energizing the other events around downtown would ultimately bring people around.
The hours of operations for business was also brought up again.
“If you’re only open from 9 to 5, you’re customer is the unemployed,” a member of the group said.
Collier said she’s anxious to see the final report, but said it will take collaboration to implement the findings, and she added property owners downtown and the community in general will have to find pride in their hometown.
“We really need short-term actionable attainable ideas. So hopefully that's what's gonna come out of it. That's what I asked for,” she said.
“I did also ask for resources on how to get some of these done like grants and those types of things. We did talk a little bit about some of that when they were here so hopefully there will be some options there.”
She said grants for work in the downtown area typically hinge upon vision plans and the city has now rolled out a vision plan. The assessment will also help with grant applications.
“These are the foundational things. We have a lot of smaller pieces falling into place but nobody’s communicating and working together and we need that,” Collier said.
“We recognize that the things are there and they're happening, but for whatever reason they're not happening cohesively.”
She said the full report is expected within six to eight weeks. She said condition of the downtown and empty buildings were a big part of the discussions.
"The unattractiveness of our streets and our sidewalks is inhibiting us from attracting business. Just point blank, that is what’s happening,” she said.
She said the city has plans for sidewalk and street improvements, but only as part of required storm and sanitary sewer separations under Avenue G.. She said the timeline for those projects could be 15 years out before completed end to end.
“We can’t wait that long. One end will be deteriorating before the other is completed,” she said. “And who owns the sidewalk. At my house I have to maintain the sidewalk and replace it. Why is that any different for downtown? That’s been a hot topic for a very long time.”
The city is set to start on the sewer separation with an $8 million project along 10th Street this year and part of that work will generate improvements on the west end of downtown.
Collier said energy will come from a positive outlook and possibly even a staffer with some agency that brings the downtown together.
“There’s so much negativity in our town right now and that makes it hard. We need to figure out a way to get over that hump and get everyone on board with positivity and pride,” she said. “Until we do that, there’s going to be no forward movement – in my opinion.”
Fort Madison has no downtown association currently, but the Fort Madison Beautification Foundation is still actively working to promote the appeal of the historical district.