T-R FILE PHOTO The Creekside Estates townhomes, pictured while under construction, are located just off of South 6th Street.

The City of Marshalltown is taking a major step toward shaping the community’s future with the official kickoff of its Comprehensive Plan and Housing Study. This effort, led by the City in partnership with RDG Consultants, will guide how Marshalltown grows, invests, and improves quality of life in the community over the next two decades.

What is a Comprehensive Plan? Simply put, it is the community’s roadmap for the future. The plan serves as a guiding document for future growth and development and addresses key areas such as land use, transportation, parks, economic development, and public services. The purpose of the plan is to reflect and respond to the needs, values, and priorities of the community while preserving Marshalltown’s sense of place, history, and natural resources. For Marshalltown, this update comes at a time of growth and change, as the community continues to recover from natural disasters, invests in its downtown, and welcomes new residents and businesses.

While comprehensive plans typically include a look at housing, the City will conduct a more in-depth housing study that will assess current needs and opportunities across the city, looking at affordability, rental demand, new construction, and neighborhood reinvestment. The findings will be crucial in helping the City and its partners attract development, secure funding, and support families at all income levels.

Community engagement will be at the heart of the process and is a priority focus for the project team. Over the next several months, residents and businesses will have opportunities to participate in surveys, focus groups, open houses, and workshops. The goal is to hear from as many voices as possible — whether long-time residents, newcomers, business owners, or students.

The planning process is expected to take about a year, with a final draft of the Comprehensive Plan and Housing Study presented to the City Council in mid-2026. Once adopted, the plan will serve as a guiding document for decision-making, ensuring that growth and investment align with the community’s shared vision.

The City will post updates, events, and engagement opportunities on its website and social media channels as they are scheduled. Residents are encouraged to get involved and help shape the future of Marshalltown.

Comprehensive planning is about building the Marshalltown of tomorrow with intention. We want a plan that reflects the vision and priorities of our residents while creating a stronger, more resilient community.

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Carol Webb is the Marshalltown city administrator.