An Invitation to Participate in
Downtown Revitalization
As a business or building owner in downtown Montezuma or as a local contractor, you have a personal stake in the future vitality of our newly recognized historic district and central business area. The City of Montezuma, Montezuma Community Development, Poweshiek Development, Region 6 Planning, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority are working in partnership to begin lining up a strategy for bringing much needed revitalization to the core of our community. In addition to possible sources of funding for historic preservation, Montezuma also has an opportunity to apply for a façade improvement grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Montezuma could be eligible for as much as $500,000 to bring transformation to our storefronts that would positively impact the future of downtown for years to come. Many communities in our area have benefited from a project such as this, including Belle Plaine and Bloomfield.
There are several criteria that must be met in order to proceed with the façade grant application. The city has already adopted a necessary resolution to identify the need for downtown revitalization. They have also made a financial commitment to sponsor a two-day community engagement with Iowa’s Downtown Resource Center. Later in the year, the city will receive a written plan with recommendations for downtown from the DRC team.
Over the next few months there will be many opportunities to gather information, share input and pledge your support for downtown revitalization. This includes your own financial participation in downtown façade improvements. To participate, downtown building owners should plan to contribute 10-30% of the total project cost. The investment in this improvement project is considerably less than most grant programs which require a 50% match. But before we can proceed, we need to find out who is on board and begin to look at design and cost estimates just so you know what will be expected. If Montezuma receives the grant, there would be a 12-18 month lead time to come up with your contribution. The project could be complete by 2015.
The grant application deadline is closing in January, so we need to come together as a community to explore what is possible. Please save the dates for these important events and plan to participate. If you would like to attend and carpool to the walking tour scheduled with the City of Belle Plaine, please call the MCD office by Monday, September 10th.
FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT INFORMATION MEETING
Tuesday, September 4th, Choose 9 a.m. OR 6 p.m. – Montezuma Public Library
For downtown business and building owners, financial institutions, and local contractors
DOWNTOWN BELLE PLAINE WALKING TOUR
Thursday, September 14th at 4 p.m.– RSVP by Monday, September 10th
We will tour Belle Plain’s completed downtown project and meet with local officials for Q&A
IOWA’S DOWNTOWN RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Wednesday & Thursday October 17th & 18th – Community Interviews
Thursday, October 18th at 7:00 p.m. – Public Forum at the Montezuma Memorial Hall
Input and visioning for the future of Montezuma’s downtown
South Housing Development News
Bonham Trail, a popular area on the southside of Montezuma, will add a nearby recreational amenity to the South Housing Development that is scheduled to break ground in the coming weeks. The 31-lot development will make way for single-family and multi-family housing units along the Barnes City Highway. The City of Montezuma and local utilities including Montezuma Light & Power, MMS Consulting of Iowa City and local general contractor Sheets Excavating, are working together to complete the development by Spring 2013. Montezuma Community Development will host a ground breaking ceremony in the near future. A pre-construction conference is scheduled for this week.
An Invitation to Participate in a Community Planning & Zoning Workshop
Thursday, October 4th from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Montezuma City Hall, 501 East Main Street
$25 registration at the door includes materials and dinner
(Montezuma officials no charge)
The City of Montezuma and Montezuma Community Development invite you to participate in a special workshop “Introduction to Planning & Zoning for Local Officials”. The three-hour workshop from Iowa State University Extension has been designed to introduce the basic principles of land-use planning and development management to elected officials, planning and zoning officials and board of adjustment members.
Community development and land-use planning create ongoing challenges for Iowa’s city and county officials, many of whom have not been formally trained, according to Gary Taylor, assistant professor of Community and Regional Planning at ISU.
“Introduction to Planning and Zoning for Local Officials” presents case scenarios in a highly interactive format highlighting issues frequently faced in the land-use process. Subjects covered during the training include roles and responsibilities of land-use decision makers, the planning and zoning commission, the zoning board of adjustment, common legal issues, rezoning, nonconforming uses, variances and special uses, and conflict of interest procedures.
Please RSVP your plans to attend the upcoming workshop by Monday, September 17th, or direct your questions by calling or emailing the Montezuma Community Development office.
Montezuma Website Info Updates Needed
Did you know that Montezuma's community website, www.montezumaiowa.org averages 600 hits per week, and includes complimentary listings for public community calendar events, free business directory listings, and information and resources on getting connected in Montezuma? Facebook and other social media outlets are regularly linked to the information which often peaks daily traffic to the site by as many as 200 users. Over 22,000 hits have been made to the community website since October 2011. If your business or organization information needs to be updated or added, please contact the Montezuma Community Development office.
