Right now, the space is a big patch of grass next to the building that once housed McGregor’s Furniture.

Part of that space was once an alley that received pavement and lighting upgrades to make it a pedestrian pathway between some parking lots and Central Avenue.

The other part of the space was occupied by The Hayloft, a bar at 710 Central Ave. That building was constructed in 1880 and was one of the oldest in the city.

The Hayloft was to get a facade renovation as part of a larger grant-funded effort that addressed several downtown buildings. But when architects examined the building, they found serious structural issues that made it unsafe. As a result, it was demolished in November 2024.

City officials now hope to turn the space into a small park called a pocket park.

To support that plan, the council on Monday applied for a $150,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

It also committed $37,500 from the city’s economic development revolving fund to serve as matching funds for the grant if it is awarded.

The council also hired RDG Planning & Design, of Des Moines, to prepare preliminary plans and cost estimates for the park which must be included in the grant application. The company will be paid $18,000 for that work.

Those actions were approved by unanimous votes.

If the grant is approved, creation of the park could begin in the spring of 2027.