CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — The Iowa River Hospice will be impacted by the East Merle Hibbs Boulevard project if Fifth Avenue is extended. However the city has not decided whether or not to go through with the project, which is on hold until the public can physically attend Marshalltown City Council meetings once again.

COVID-19 has put a concerning project for some residents of Marshalltown on hold — at least until citizens are able to make their voices heard at city council meetings.

The proposal to extend Fifth Avenue past Iowa River Hospice is in limbo for the time being. City administrator Jessica Kinser said until people can physically attend the Marshalltown City Council meetings, the proposal is waiting because they want to give audience members a chance to voice concerns.

“Right now it is at a standstill,” Kinser said.

The city administrator wanted to assure those concerned that the city will not move forward until the public is heard.

“The city is not making back handed decisions,” she said.

Some people — around 1,800 — have made their voices heard already through a petition calling for the city to not expand Fifth Avenue. Rhonda Miller, community liaison for the Hospice, has the signatures of them all waiting on the petition pages in her office.

The Fifth Avenue extension project is concerning to many at the Iowa River Hospice.

Miller said the primary concern is that the road will destroy the tranquility patients get at the facility.

“We are concerned about safety and security and we are asking the city to please consider something else,” Miller said. “People want a calm, peaceful setting with their loved ones when their time is short.”

One alternative that is under consideration by the city is an extension of Third Avenue, according to Kinser.

“The mayor gave an impassioned speech about looking at all options and Third Avenue is a possibility,” Kinser said. ”

The city approached Iowa River Hospice about 10 years ago with the proposal. Miller said the Hospice board was against it and then it was not until the fall of 2019 when it was brought up again. She said members of the Iowa River Hospice Board of Directors met with city officials in November about the project.

“The city expressed a desire to buy 30 feet of land for a construction easement,” Miller said.

That would have meant a property shed and a generator for the Hospice would have to be moved, plus the land would have been too close to the ambulance entrance. Miller said they still were not interested.

Then, eminent domain was mentioned.

Kinser admitted she did bring up eminent domain just to inform the board that it was an option for the city. Miller said the meeting ended not long after those words were spoken.

However the outpouring of support from people for the Iowa River Hospice has been truly appreciated.

“I want to say thanks to the folks who have expressed their concern, who have called, emailed and signed petitions,” Miller said. “The stories of support have been so gratifying for us. They have built us up and we are humbled by them.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.