Help shape Marshalltown’s future and make this an even better place to live, work and raise a family!
The 7 Big Ideas
Click here to download the PDF of the Imagine 2011 Updates!
1. REVITALIZE AND STRENGTHEN DOWNTOWN
Revitalize and Strengthen Downtown Marshalltown by implementing the existing
downtown improvement plan that includes: creating a pedestrian friendly downtown
with expanded green spaces; restoring landmark buildings such as the Tallcorn;
building a new coliseum/community auditorium; strengthening and expanding Wi-Fi
services and revitalizing and developing the ‘undertown’ areas under the
viaducts.
2. CREATE A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLING FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
Make walking and bicycling safe and accessible by building sidewalks;
implementing the city’s bike-route plan; appropriately placing bike racks;
building a pedestrian railroad overpass at South 2nd Street; expanding and
improving the trail system throughout the city/county by creating mountain bike
paths and trails and by connecting the existing path from the Grimes Farm to the
Melbourne bike path.
Click here to download the bike route map.
Click here for links to other trails.
3. DEVELOP LINN CREEK RIVERWALK
Develop Linn Creek into a River Walk featuring a theme-based museum with
interactive displays, restaurants, band shell/amphitheater, annual jazz/film
festivals, Friday After Five events, indoor/outdoor sports complex and a
connecting footbridge to an improved Tye Theater with a trolley stop to
downtown.
4. TARGET ON BEAUTIFICATION
Target on Beautification by expanding the Cleaniac effort; making all entrances
to the city focal points of community pride; cleaning up abandoned industrial
sites; revitalizing the 13th Street area to serve as a proud community gateway
to our Iowa Veterans Home; offering free/expanded recycling; establishing
neighborhood associations; improving city park system and offering incentives to
revitalize homes.
Click here to download the 13th St. Concepts for the Future from RDG planning & Design.
Click here to view the Franklin Field Gateway Project.
5. DEVELOP RIVERVIEW PARK AND BEAUTIFY NORTH ENTRANCE
Showcase the north entrance to the community and Riverview Park area by creating
pedestrian-friendly crosswalks/streets and by developing water and recreational
attractions at Riverview Park including a boat ramp, canoe rental, expanded
camping facilities, bathhouses, skate board park, concessions and an enhanced
hiking/biking path trailhead.
6. BUILD CLEAR CREEK LAKE
Implement Clear Creek Lake Plan by working with the DNR to acquire the
1,760-acre ISU Research Farm near Rhodes and the Harvester paving the way for a
public/private partnership for a 778-acre lake development that would encompass
5,087 acres in southwest Marshall County and greatly enhance our quality of life
while contributing significantly to our overall tax base.
7. STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
Strengthen the school system by offering lower student/teacher ratio; improving
or renovating the Roundhouse and Miller Auditorium; improving inside/outside
appearance of all schools; increasing technology; expanding bi-lingual
education; offering pre-school system-wide; installing geothermal/wind at all
schools and developing a college tuition grant plan all of which would position
Marshalltown as the best place to educate youth.
Mailing Address: Imagine
P.O. Box 1000, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Email: ideas@imagine2011.com
Imagine is a community-wide initiative facilitated by a coalition of community organizations and individuals.