New siding and other improvements are in the works for two Fort Dodge homes as part of a grant-funded effort to spruce up the Third Avenue Northwest corridor.

In July 2024, the city received a $1,508,548 Community Development Block Grant to be invested in that area. The grant was awarded by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The money is to be used for these purposes:

• Rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes.

• Trails.

• Water mains.

• Storm sewers.

• Streetscapes, including lighting, landscaping and signs.

On Monday, the City Council awarded a contract for the first housing rehabilitation work to be done with that grant money.

The work will be done at 210 Second St. N.W. and 1132 First Ave. N.W.

The council hired Factory Services, of Fort Dodge, to do the work at a total cost of $54,978.

The only other bid came from Merical Construction, of Menlo, which offered a bid of $79,850.

The work to be done on the houses includes installation of new vinyl siding, installation of new roofs and replacing some windows.

Councilmembers Kim Alstott, Jen Crimmins, and Megan Secor were absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to award the contract.