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Haunt the Block on Main Street was a Monster success again this year. This event is organized by the MCBD (Marshalltown Central Business District) led by Danielle Lekin and the businesses uptown. The weather was perfect for doing a little trick or treating and for trying out new Halloween outfits. The crowd was huge, and I observed several of the parents dressed up too. What fun!
The event also gave residents a chance to inspect the new street and sidewalks being installed. Many people commented on the new look and design. All of the comments were very positive remarking about how improved the are looks.
Speaking of the MCBD, 7 new businesses have opened on Main Street this year, have you visited them?
I continue to urge people to make sure to shop uptown as the construction is beginning to wrap up for the year. The businesses along Main Street have been so cooperative. They know the construction needs to be done and are doing their best to stay positive, looking forward to the future. Heather Thomas (City Engineer) has done such a good job leading the team during the complicated project, keeping it on time and on budget.
I think we will all be relieved when traffic can once again roll down Main Street. After this year, the plan is to take one year off and then in 2028, continue the project on Main Street from Center Street West. I do think it's good to have a full year off so everyone can breathe a bit. The upgrades and details of the work continue to shine.
The Center Street viaduct remains on schedule to open in late November.
My wife Kim and I did something new, early voting!
The old fire station was buzzing when we went! I think that it is a good sign for the elections when there is a good turnout for elections. The staff working at the site were so helpful, making sure that we understood the process before voting.
Yes, I got my sticker.
The Planning and Zoning Committee and Clayton Ender (City Planner) have completed their work updating our ordinances to ensure that if a data center wants to locate here, our ordinances give guidance and strict measures to comply with. The Committee held several meetings with much thought and discussions. The community has also had the opportunity to weigh in at community forums held by the city. The changes will come to the City Council meeting on Monday, October 26th at 5:30 for consideration. We asked them to set their bar high and they did just that. Good job P&Z!
When you hear about a bad data center in other states, it's because that local government did not set their bar high. We did.
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." -- Anne Bradstreet
Mike Ladehoff is the mayor of Marshalltown.