T-R FILE PHOTO Marshalltown Senior Residences, 201 E. Main St., shows damage shortly after the July 19 EF-3 tornado. Some debris was removed from the sidewalk and street shortly thereafter. More clean-up is scheduled next week. The property is secured behind a tall chain link fence.

Not long after the July 19 tornado broke-up near the Marshalltown Generating Station, forward-thinking residents said Marshalltown would overcome its devastation and become stronger and better.

They may have been thinking about Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners — among other developers — who see new housing opportunities post-tornado.

The Cedar-Rapids-based entity owns the 28-unit Marshalltown Senior Residences which was extensively damaged from the tornado.

Development Director Brian Sweeney of the company told the city council on Oct. 22 it would repair the iconic and historic property at 201 E. Main St.

“We lost three apartments from the top floor,” Sweeney said of the damage. “We are still in the planning stages, but I would estimate we will have 25 to 28 units when repairs are completed. We will put back as much as possible and practical.”

Sweeney estimated repairs will begin next spring.

“The building will be stripped out secure to make sure there is no more deterioration,” he said.

Many residents will remember the building as home to Iowa Wholesale Supply for many years.

Prior to that, it was called the Letts-Fletcher building, home to Western Grocery.

Before the tornado, it offered affordable housing to individuals 55 years old and/or disabled. The tornado’s wrath displaced all tenants.

Last month Sweeney also told the Marshalltown city council the company it would soon begin site clean-up and building repair since property assessments, insurance claims and applications for disaster assistance required a significant amount of time.

“It took about three months of work to get to this point,” Sweeney told the council.

That news was celebrated by At-Large Councilor Leon Lamer and First Ward Councilor Sue Cahill.

The latter has been advocating for tenants displaced.

On Wednesday, Sweeney told the Times-Republican site-clean up would begin next week.

Bricks and other debris remain on the building’s north and west sidewalk.

A tall chain link fence surrounds the property, which shields passers-by and vehicles.

New housing proposed

Sweeney said his company will soon be submitting a new application to the Iowa Housing Finance Authority — the state entity which awards tax credits to promote housing development.

“We want to construct a new building on the property adjacent to MSR including the city-owned parking lot at 213 E. Main St., ” Sweeney said. “We will be proposing 44-new units of “workforce” affordable housing. That will include, one, two and three bedrooms apartments. It is possible the three-bedroom units would be attractive to families.

City staff and the city council have been working with CEAP on the new housing project which will include review and approval of a development agreement between the company and city.

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Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or

donahey@timesrepublican.com