For over four years, Marshalltown and the City Council have watched the old hospital site. Purchased by an out-of-town person who may have had the best of intentions, but eventually allowed the entire campus uptown to depreciate and deteriorate. Because the property was private property, the City’s options were few.

Yes, we called them, cited them and fined them to improve or secure the buildings, but to no avail. Last summer, the city even started to mow it because of how bad it got. So why didn’t we move on it earlier? Well, because we couldn’t. With lawsuits in court over the building, we had to wait for the lawsuits to clear or risk the city being pulled in.

This is not what we had hoped would become of the old hospital site. But like any other property in town that has fallen into disrepair and everyone has walked away from, many times the property falls into the city’s hands. Should it be this way? Probably not. The city becomes the last option, the end of the line. It just isn’t fair to residents living around it. Cities that have such properties speak volumes about the residents who live there.

The City Council was smart in negotiating a deal when it finally became available to do so. The location is in a prime location. Perhaps some of the property could be used, if not, expect the City Council to move quickly to demolish and it won’t be cheap. Good riddance!

This past week, quite by accident, I have formed my own “Mayor’s Think Tank.” I have been stopping at the local elementary schools talking to 1st graders about Marshalltown. What we need, how proud they are of their city, schools and friends. I have a few more to visit.

I have been blown away at how smart, empathetic, forward looking, behaved and fun they have been. And they weren’t shy at all! One girl told me that we need more houses so that everyone could have a place to live. A boy told me that it would be a great idea for Marshalltown to invest in a roller-coaster! The ideas go on and on. Kudos to the MCSD for letting me interact with their students during very busy school days. Parks and Recreation Director Kelsie Stafford was able to accompany me to Rogers School. After explaining that her department was in charge of the city parks and making sure kids have fun in Marshalltown, they agreed with me that she does in fact, have a very cool job! Our Parks and Recreation staff does a terrific job in Marshalltown. Also, the kids are “wound for sound” over the opening of the new Apgar Water Plaza.

With street construction or repair going on this spring and summer around town, please remember to shop uptown (or is it downtown?) Main Street businesses take a financial hit during the needed construction. We certainly want them there for the new Main Street.

It’s going to be amazing.

“The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi

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Mike Ladehoff is the mayor of Marshalltown.