Rail Road Right of Way
Are you tired of driving over the hump on Highway 65/69 just south of Euclid Avenue and in front of the Well Fargo Bank Complex? Well, in several weeks the hump will be gone.The IDOT has contracted with Sternquist Construction (thru a bid process) to remove and replace the hump. The project will involve removing about 110 feet of highway and is scheduled to begin sometime in mid-June. However a preconstruction meeting has not been scheduled so that date may change.
Because the project will close the entire highway, traffic will be detoured onto East Iowa Avenue, 15th Street, Highway 92 and back to Hwy 65/69. During that time there will be no-parking on Iowa and 15th, and, 4-way stop signs will be installed at Iowa and 15th (parking and stop signs are subject to council approval on June 16). Depending on weather, the project should take about 30 days.
While there will be inconvenience, the good news is that no businesses will lose access to their property. Either Highway 65/69 or Euclid Avenue can be used to access the Wells Fargo complex, NAPA, La Casa and other area businesses.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Highway 65/69
An important meeting will be held in mid-June between Indianola officials and the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). The purpose is to begin dialogue on a potential improvement project for Highway 65/69 south of Highway 92.
While the project scope has yet to be determined, the stretch between 92 and West 17th has been the topic in recent years. Discussion will also include improving the two-lanes to three-lanes or possibly four although the lack of available property on either side of 65/69 could make four lanes nearly impossible. Only further research will tell.
Even if dialogue goes very well, the project will be several years in the future considering it is not even in the IDOT’s five-year plan. Once in the plan (subject to Commission approval), project funding then becomes the next hurdle. And, we all know funding is never an easy challenge. The city will be expected to share some of the cost related to curb/gutter and storm sewer since the IDOT only paves slab-on-grade roadways. There may be other city expenses as well.
However, I am very optimistic that IDOT reps are meeting with the city to begin discussions. We have expressed a need for this project for several years and hopefully we are making some real progress. Not only will this project make the highway safer, but also, it will improve traffic flow and vehicle convenience.
Indianola is fortunate to have a very good relationship with IDOT officials as evidenced by the North Highway 65/69 improvements over the last several years. We now need to continue those relations and begin improving the south end of our community as well.
If you have any questions about these discussions or any other city issue, please feel free to contact me.
An important meeting will be held in mid-June between Indianola officials and the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). The purpose is to begin dialogue on a potential improvement project for Highway 65/69 south of Highway 92.
While the project scope has yet to be determined, the stretch between 92 and West 17th has been the topic in recent years. Discussion will also include improving the two-lanes to three-lanes or possibly four although the lack of available property on either side of 65/69 could make four lanes nearly impossible. Only further research will tell.
Even if dialogue goes very well, the project will be several years in the future considering it is not even in the IDOT’s five-year plan. Once in the plan (subject to Commission approval), project funding then becomes the next hurdle. And, we all know funding is never an easy challenge. The city will be expected to share some of the cost related to curb/gutter and storm sewer since the IDOT only paves slab-on-grade roadways. There may be other city expenses as well.
However, I am very optimistic that IDOT reps are meeting with the city to begin discussions. We have expressed a need for this project for several years and hopefully we are making some real progress. Not only will this project make the highway safer, but also, it will improve traffic flow and vehicle convenience.
Indianola is fortunate to have a very good relationship with IDOT officials as evidenced by the North Highway 65/69 improvements over the last several years. We now need to continue those relations and begin improving the south end of our community as well.
If you have any questions about these discussions or any other city issue, please feel free to contact me.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Pickard Park Paving
At their meeting on May 5, the city council approved a contract with Veenstra and Kimm Engineers to design a parking lot expansion and paving for Pickard Park. If you’ve been to Pickard this year or last, you may have noted cars parked on Hwy 92. Needless to say this is not a very safe parking option for several reasons.
The lot leading to the shelter will be expanded on the east side making room for a center lane of parking. Concrete and asphalt bids will be solicited and the City’s Park and Street Departments will be responsible for striping the lot and restoration.
About 75 new spaces will be added for a total of 246. However, there should be more cars in the lot since striping will create more efficient parking. Without stripes and designated spaces, vehicles often take more space than needed.
The project will be bid in early July and construction will begin in August. August was chosen because leagues end in July and do not resume until September.
The new parking lot will be a great asset to an already great park. Pickard is used heavily not only by residents, but the schools, Simpson College, countless ball players and visitors to Indianola.
At their meeting on May 5, the city council approved a contract with Veenstra and Kimm Engineers to design a parking lot expansion and paving for Pickard Park. If you’ve been to Pickard this year or last, you may have noted cars parked on Hwy 92. Needless to say this is not a very safe parking option for several reasons.
The lot leading to the shelter will be expanded on the east side making room for a center lane of parking. Concrete and asphalt bids will be solicited and the City’s Park and Street Departments will be responsible for striping the lot and restoration.
About 75 new spaces will be added for a total of 246. However, there should be more cars in the lot since striping will create more efficient parking. Without stripes and designated spaces, vehicles often take more space than needed.
The project will be bid in early July and construction will begin in August. August was chosen because leagues end in July and do not resume until September.
The new parking lot will be a great asset to an already great park. Pickard is used heavily not only by residents, but the schools, Simpson College, countless ball players and visitors to Indianola.
Monday, May 5, 2008
ANNEXATION
The city received a request to annex about 119 acres on its southwest side in November 2007. The land is located several hundred feet south of Hwy 92 between “Y” Street and R-63. Per Iowa Code, when annexing property voluntarily, a city may annex up to another 20% in order to avoid islands (rural area surrounded by city area) and create uniform boundaries.
In this case, the city is annexing another 19 acres for a total of 138.
When annexing property, even voluntarily, there is a very specific procedure that must be followed including review by the Planning & Zoning Commission and County Board of Supervisors. Legal descriptions, public notices, maps, notices to surrounding property owners are also part of the process. In addition, a public hearing must be held by the city council (this one was held on April 7, 2008).
After council approval, the annexation request is presented to the City Development Board which is a department of the State of Iowa. They review the city’s application including all the required information, and if in order, set another public hearing.
The City Development Board will review Indianola’s application at their meeting on May 28 and assuming the requirements have been met, will set a hearing date for their meeting in June or July. At that hearing, they will allow public comment and then decide on the merits of the annexation.
Annexations can be controversial as property owners do not want to be in the city for various reasons including higher taxes and more restrictions such as building codes. However, there are “city” benefits that include water (less expensive than rural water), sanitary sewer (less problematic than septics), police protection and greater potential to develop property.
When a property is annexed into the city, the council has authorized a transitional tax that reduces the city portion of property taxes over a five-year period. The intent is to ease the financial difference from the rural area.
If you have any questions about this annexation or other city issues, please feel free to contact me.
The city received a request to annex about 119 acres on its southwest side in November 2007. The land is located several hundred feet south of Hwy 92 between “Y” Street and R-63. Per Iowa Code, when annexing property voluntarily, a city may annex up to another 20% in order to avoid islands (rural area surrounded by city area) and create uniform boundaries.
In this case, the city is annexing another 19 acres for a total of 138.
When annexing property, even voluntarily, there is a very specific procedure that must be followed including review by the Planning & Zoning Commission and County Board of Supervisors. Legal descriptions, public notices, maps, notices to surrounding property owners are also part of the process. In addition, a public hearing must be held by the city council (this one was held on April 7, 2008).
After council approval, the annexation request is presented to the City Development Board which is a department of the State of Iowa. They review the city’s application including all the required information, and if in order, set another public hearing.
The City Development Board will review Indianola’s application at their meeting on May 28 and assuming the requirements have been met, will set a hearing date for their meeting in June or July. At that hearing, they will allow public comment and then decide on the merits of the annexation.
Annexations can be controversial as property owners do not want to be in the city for various reasons including higher taxes and more restrictions such as building codes. However, there are “city” benefits that include water (less expensive than rural water), sanitary sewer (less problematic than septics), police protection and greater potential to develop property.
When a property is annexed into the city, the council has authorized a transitional tax that reduces the city portion of property taxes over a five-year period. The intent is to ease the financial difference from the rural area.
If you have any questions about this annexation or other city issues, please feel free to contact me.
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