Originally known as The Arcadian, the building is reputed to be the first shopping mall in Fort Dodge. The layout consists of multiple small retail, office and service suites with a central atrium accentuated by a skylight.

It was built in 1914, according to online records of the Webster County Assessor’s Office.

“This building is so cool and we are super excited to bring new life back to it,” said Todd McCubbin, a local entrepreneur and city councilman who is one of the leaders of The Better Way Project.

“The center atrium area is a perfect gathering place for people who come downtown to stroll through shops and enjoy the beauty of our downtown area,” McCubbin added. “Renaming it the Atrium on Central helps capture the uniqueness of the space.”

-Submitted image
This image shows the main corridor inside the Atrium on Central at 1012 Central Ave. The suites on either side of the corridor can be used by retail and service businesses. They can also be used as offices.

McCubbin said the building was vacant prior to the purchase and already has three new tenants, including a photography studio, a hair salon and an art studio.

“There are still several spaces available, and the rents are very reasonable for a small business,” McCubbin said. “We are talking to other potential tenants with a goal of filling the building this year.”

According to Matt Johnson, founder of The Better Way Project, the Atrium on Central building offers potential synergies with the group’s recent purchase of the Carver Building across the street at 1003 Central Ave.

“We are gaining a lot of momentum filling up space in the Carver Building downtown, which is bringing more people here every day,” he said. “More people means more demand for services, retail and other needs, which creates opportunities for small businesses to serve the needs of the growing downtown customer base.”

Johnson said The Better Way Project headquarters has moved into the Carver Building, along with several other new tenants. Like the Atrium on Central, the Carver Building was vacant three months ago.

“There are more and more cars in the parking lot every day, and we’re now even sharing the elevator with people from other floors,” Johnson said. “For starters, I know we would all love to see a deli or cafe or coffee and smoothie shop open on the main floor of the Carver Building or across the street in the Atrium on Central building. We would definitely be regular customers.”

McCubbin added, “It’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes the growing demand in this part of downtown and steps in to open a business to serve it.”

The Atrium on Central will be managed by Cornerstone Property Management, a local property management firm owned by The Better Way Project leaders Scott and Katie Underberg.

The Atrium on Central is the third major building purchase the Better Way Project has purchased recently. In addition to the Carver Building, it bought the former Land O’Lakes building at 2827 Eighth Ave. S.