Plans envision new look for downtown Fort Dodge
Downtown plans do not overlap with corridor studyBy BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writer
Realigned traffic patterns and a large park that a consultant said would generate ''future growth and excitement'' are key parts of a proposal for downtown Fort Dodge.
''There's no doubt that this is big thinking,'' Douglas Hammel, a project manager for Camiros, told the City Council Monday when he introduced the results of the downtown study.
The major elements of that plan were introduced Jan. 24, when the Chicago-based consulting firm made its first report.
The proposal calls for eliminating Second Avenue South between the Karl L. King Viaduct and South Seventh Street. Vehicles would be routed onto First Avenue South, which would be opened to two-way traffic.
After the pavement and buildings that now line Second Avenue South are removed, a large park would be created on that land.
Hammel described that park as a ''great opportunity to create an engine for future growth and excitement downtown.''
The park and the street realignment, he said, are essential to an overall plan to bring more housing, specialty stores and restaurants to the city's center.
Hammel did not include any cost estimates in his presentation. Also, he didn't recommend a schedule for completing the project. He did, however, urge city leaders to get started immediately on updating zoning laws and creating needed partnerships with the private sector.
Councilmen Matt Bemrich and Dave Flattery asked how the downtown study coordinates with the effort to spruce up the main entry corridors of the city.
Larry Lund, with Real Estate Planning Group, said the downtown work doesn't overlap with the corridor study because the consultants don't envision the city center becoming a major retail area. Lund's company worked with Camiros on the study.
Hammel told Flattery that he wasn't familiar with the specific plan for upgrading the intersection of Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street. But he added that the intersection is an important entry to the downtown.
The $90,000 study was paid for by the Self Supported Municipal Improvement District, the city government and the Development Corporation of Greater Fort Dodge.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net
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NamVet
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09-23-08 11:58 PM
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thanks for answering the question Paladin. I asked so as not to jump to conclusions.
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kaleidoscope
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09-23-08 11:51 PM
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This study is a colossal waste of money. Please note there is no mention of who will pay for these aesthetic/aka 'feel good' only improvements, but you can be assured it will come from the taxpayer's pockets. This plan will put a number of longstanding, successful businesses out of business, all because of the whims of an elite few and that is unacceptable!
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Paladin
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09-23-08 11:09 PM
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Namvet, there is land being acquired for the new Fareway location downtown. You are jumping to conclusions. The plans for this town are well thought out and the studies done are necessary, They either provide blueprints for contractors, or they provide plans that then qualify for grants. Without these studies neither would happen.
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Kellybelly
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09-23-08 10:49 PM
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$90,000.00 ****** away again. How did the remake of central avenue work out for you all? Yeah, it's a mecca of action nowadays, compared to the 70's. No matter where you go with this, it's a lie and it's about getting/spending your money for nothing.
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firefly94
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09-23-08 9:04 PM
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NamVet's post 9-23 2:50 AM is 100% right. You can't put a bandaid on a boil. Cleaning from within is all that will help this town.
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NamVet
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09-23-08 7:40 PM
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excuse the bad last sentence, it pays to reread before posting.
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NamVet
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09-23-08 7:37 PM
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borninFD: No, I do not envision my coming back here, ever. But will follow, with interest, the progress(??) or further decline via the Internet and this newspaper. My lifelong friends are 2000 miles from here and I will be somewhat closer to them. Friends you grew up with and have known close to for 50 years are very important especially as the years 'speed' by ever so fast.
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BornInFD
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09-23-08 9:27 AM
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NamVet - as you are leaving, do you plan on returning to visit those you leave back in FD? I haven't lived in FD for quite some time, but I am still drawn there. I return frequently and am criticized for my affection of that town. Many of us see the potential this community has. Has anyone watched coverage of towns, albeit smaller than FD, that are destroyed by natural disasters, ie Parkersburg or Greensburg? I wonder if the residents of FD have the fortitude to come together like that, without death and destruction. Most would say no, not without a trigger event
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jaybares
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09-23-08 9:18 AM
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Fareway will only get bigger, better, and more convenient. Hold the door...be patient.
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NamVet
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09-23-08 3:12 AM
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One more thing....I am concerned about the people of this town being ripped off. I am leaving here anyway so it doesn't bother me personally, but I hate to see the citizens of this town dealing with all the major problems plaguing this town and you all are talking about spending millions of dollars on 'beautification'? This just seems to me to be so darn irresponsible and neglectful of the real needs of Fort Dodge. You expect so much from the Police Dept. and yet do not give them the tools they need, how shameful! I know there are many police officers that in agreement. Where is the leadership, the real leadership of this town? A true 'make-over' has to start from the inside out, this is not some stupid tv show, but the quality of life of people who reside here. My problem is I care too much. If I were more selfish it would not matter to me, but I care about people contrary to what some may think.
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NamVet
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09-23-08 2:50 AM
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Would it not make more sense to invest in fixing or addressing the inner problems of this town?? Like more money for expanding the Police Force, especially with an adequate undercover dept. to fight drugs? Or more educational programs to try to elevate the consciousness of people? Try to curb child neglect and abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and violence. And so much more to fix the 'real' problems. And I left out many other things I"m sure. What are you people thinking?? If a bunch of rats are occupying a building you don't fix the problem by painting the place and gardening!! You don't reform a criminal by dressing him/her up with new clothes and make-up. It does not make sense.
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NamVet
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09-23-08 2:36 AM
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What happens to Fareway? Our grocery store choices are reduced to HyVee or WalMart? Someone please address this.....Many do not shop at WalMart for informed political reasons so that leaves one grocery store? Information please, I don't want to assume anything incorrectly. Beautifying Fort Dodge externally you truly think is going to help????? I think you are dreaming! Do you read the news? " you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig."
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