A ‘banner year’ for Humboldt
Bockelmann: 2024 saw four major projects either started or completed
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HUMBOLDT -- City leaders in Humboldt carried out four sizable projects in 2024 that set up the town for future business growth, modernized the main road through town and continued to boost recreational pieces.
"We really had a banner year last year with capital improvement projects," City Administrator Cole Bockelmann said. "It was a $10 million-plus year."
Bockelmann, who has been in that position for three years, said that was a much larger batch of projects than a typical year. They were well received by residents in the town of 4,700 people, he said, even if the road work at times meant people had to change travel habits.
"It has all been positive," he said. "Two of the projects are quality-of-life pieces and that's what you need to stand out."
It was also an exciting year for Humboldt Community School District supporters as the high school football team played in the Iowa Class 3A championship in November, falling to Dubuque Wahlert Catholic.
The primary street through Humboldt is the highly-traveled Sumner Avenue that also runs through downtown. Sumner Avenue was resurfaced over its entire length and more decorative lighting pieces were added to some prior lights.
"We really made it a notable area," Bockelmann said. "It has really modernized our downtown in terms of infrastructure and aesthetics."
The Sumner Avenue paving and lighting project cost $1.7 million, with $900,000 of that coming from a grant and the remainder coming from sales taxes.
There were two projects of $3 million each. One involved an overlay rehabilitation of the entire runway length at Humboldt Municipal Airport. Bockelmann reported that 90 percent of that runway project was paid for by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The other $3 million capital improvement project endeavor took place at Three Rivers Industrial Park in what is Phase One of a public-private partnership of the city with the Partnership for Economic Growth of Humboldt County.
Three Rivers Industrial Park is located on the northwest edge of Humboldt, and includes infrastructure on four commercial lots where businesses could locate with ease, Bockelmann said.
"These are shovel-ready," he said. "It gives us a product we had not had for future industries."
The arrangement is that the city, through borrowing, paid for the water and other infrastructure, while the partnership for Economic Growth of Humboldt County will own, market and sell the lots.
More recreationally, 2024 saw the beginning of the $2.2 million Eagle Ridge Nature Trail, which extends Cottonwood Trail and adds a substantial pedestrian bridge across the West Fork of the Des Moines River.
Eagle Ridge Nature Trail was paid for in part with a $950,000 grant.
"There is a lot of tree cover, and with the grade change, you feel like you are in the country," Bockelmann said. "Our existing trail gets a lot of use, and I think that will be expanded with this addition."
He said carrying out four projects meant for a challenging 2024. As for what lies ahead, Bockelmann said it will be a more typical year for project scopes, as the trail will be finished by early summer and water main and street projects will be completed.
"It will definitely not be as big as last year," he said.