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‘Catalyst’ resolution OK’d by council

Could link rec trails while supporting housing

Citing the need to significantly enhance a new “executive level” housing development while developing the town’s recreational trail system, the Marshalltown City Council approved by 4-3 vote a key resolution designating an amount not to exceed $65,000 for the design and engineering of a Linn Creek Recreational Trail-Iowa River Trail connector at Monday’s night’s council meeting.

The approval gives city staff the green light to contract with an engineering firm to design and engineer the trail connections which would link an initial 14-unit housing development at the Old Crosby swimming pool site on 6th Street and Ingledue Street, the American Legion Golf Course, and the new Wayward Social Club and Bowling Alley northward to the Linn Creek Recreational Trail.

The resolution is only for design and engineering, and not for actual trail construction, whose amount is unknown.

The design and engineering resolution was narrowly approved only after extensive debate.

And it appeared for a time it could be tabled until more details were provided.

However, proponents won out.

Voting yes to approve the resolution were First Ward Councilor Sue Cahill, Second Ward Councilor Gabe Isom, Third Ward Councilor Mike Gowdy and At-Large Councilor Bethany Wirin.

They cited the need to grow Marshalltown by improving housing and recreational opportunities.

Voting no were Fourth Ward Councilor Al Hoop, and remaining two At-Large Councilors Leon Lamer and Bill Martin.

Among other reasons, they said time was not of the essence and wanted more details on what businesses benefiting would pay for actual trail construction.

Councilor Hoop said he was extremely concerned about the amount of money being spent to hire out work, when perhaps the staff of the public works department could do it.

However, it was rebutted by City Administrator Jessica KInser that department is down two staff.

“We have a project here in Marshalltown which is a catalyst for making some great connections with our existing trail — the LInn Creek Recreation Trail — and our current, but growing Iowa River Trail,” said Kinser introducing the resolution.

Not only would be the LCRT be expanded, the American Legion Golf Course and Wayward Social would be in a position to sell food and beverages to bicyclists — features currently lacking on the LCRT and IRT, the latter still under construction.

It has been paved from Wilson Circle to Summit Street.

IRT proponents plan to have the trail completed to the Marshall County-Harding County line by 2022 or 2023.

It is unclear how much the committee managing the Hardin County portion of the trail will have done by then to its eventual destination of Steamboat Rock.

Marshalltown Co. President Joe Carter announced he and his wife Janelle Carter are developers of the 14-unit executive level housing complex.

Joe Carter has been president of the 128-year old Marshalltown Co. (formerly Marshalltown Trowel) for 20 years. Janelle Carter is a member of the Marshalltown Community School District school board and was previously extremely active in numerous community betterment initiatives.

The Carters have lived in Marshalltown for 23 years.

“Over the years, we have seen many of our administrators and teachers live outside the community,” said Carter. “Forty percent of Marshalltown Co. employees live outside of Marshalltown. We have waited a long time for developers to give the community more housing, whether it be rental or purchase. Instead of investing in Wall Street or other efforts, we wanted to start out as novice developers and invest in Marshalltown. We believe this initiative is a step in the right direction of enticing current and future workforce not only for our company, but others, to move to or remain in Marshalltown. Ideally, we want to break ground on the initial 14-unit housing development this summer.”

The Carters had previously indicated they would pay for construction of the trail on their property.

However, it was unclear if Aaron Buzbee, owner of Wayword Social, would pay for construction on his property.

It was also unclear if Rich Naughton, whose property adjoins Wayward Social to the north, would pay for trail construction on his property or participate in the project.

Offering more housing opportunities has long been a goal of Marshall Economic Development and other community development organizations.

Joe Carter said MED President Tom Deimerly suggested the Old Crosby Pool site as location for the housing development.

American Legion Commander Randy Kessler heartily endorsed passage of the resolution.

“The trail expansion would benefit not only benefit the Carter’s housing project, but bring more customers to the American Legion Golf Course complex. The American Legion and Wayward Social would offer bicyclists food and beverage opportunities — two things lacking on the current trail system.”

Wayward Social owner Aaron Buzbee also publicly endorsed passage of the resolution, as did Marshalltown Regional Partnership CEO David Barajas.

“We talk frequently about workforce, about housing and recreational opportunities,” said Barajas. “This initial part (design and engineering) of the project would open the door to enhance all three. We recommend the resolution be passed.

For more information, on the resolution with supporting documentation, visit the city’s website, marshalltown-ia-gov.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

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