By MICHAEL SCHAFFER
The Oskaloosa Herald
OSKALOOSA
July 03, 2008 11:15 am
—
Iowa’s 3rd District Congressman, Leonard Boswell, spent nearly one hour Wednesday morning taking in the sights and touring several businesses in downtown Oskaloosa that had recently undergone makeovers.
Boswell, who was later joined by state Sen. Tom Rielly, were state Rep. Eric Palmer’s special guests for his “Revitalizing Downtown Oskaloosa Tour.” The tour was a way to highlight how the Main Street Iowa program has contributed to the revitalization of the downtown area.
Palmer said main street revitalization was a way to keep and grow retail sales.
“We’re just trying to help rural areas in Iowa to develop and to grow,” Palmer said. “I think we just need to make sure that we keep retail and development here in rural Iowa. You don’t need to drive to Des Moines and spend some gas. You don’t need to drive to Iowa City. You can get these things here in Oskaloosa.”
The tour’s first stop was at the corner of High Avenue and Market Street. Here is where Jon Sullivan, Chamber and Main Street director, explained the condition and future plans for the Iowa Building.
“We’re going to put a whole new skin on this building just like it was when it was built in 1873,” Sullivan said. “We have to put a new foundation under the piece that’s going to have the brick. So, before we can even do that, we have to put a foundation. We’re halfway through with that now. And then you’ll see the brick go back up. So, by this time next year, we hope to have that completed.”
The entourage crossed South Market Street and entered Brown’s Shoe Fit, one of several downtown businesses that participated in the recent Main Street Makeover Marathon. The owner told Boswell she was very happy with the results of the makeover.
“We’re happy that we got to be involved,” Rhonda Swanson said. “It looks great.”
Boswell was impressed with the results.
“I like it,” he said. “You get the feel you’re in a big store with a lot of product.”
Rielly joined the entourage before leaving Brown’s Shoe Fit and going to stand in front of Sherwin Williams store. Here Sullivan explained what was happening to the block of buildings now called Trolley Place.
Next the tour entered Mathew Carpet Center, another business that participated in the recent Main Street makeover.
“This is completely changed,” Sullivan said. “You don’t even recognize the store.”
The owner pointed out how the sales counter has moved over the years. Now a brown, wooden aisle from the front door leads customers directly to the new sales counter in the center of the room.
“This is great. It leads you right here,” Jim Rinehart said.
He said the makeover was collaboration between himself, Iowa State students and Main Street.
“It was a wonderful project,” Rinehart said. “It was a lot of work. But it was well, well worth it. We’re very pleased.”
From Mathew, the group entered Hunter’s for a brief stop and then it was on to The Hall Tree by Geri & Co., the final stop of the tour. Both businesses participated in the Main Street Makeover Marathon.
Prior to leaving the last stop, Boswell offered this advice to other communities looking to revitalize downtown areas.
“I do this already. I’d tell them to come to a community that is revitalizing,” Boswell said. “Come to Oskaloosa and visit with the city leaders. Visit with the store keepers and see ... they can hear all they want to hear, but they go see it and they say a picture is worth a thousand words, well, they’re going to see it if they come here.”
From Oskaloosa, Congressman Boswell was heading to Amana, Vinton and Traer to view flood damage and to talk to constituents.
Herald City Editor Michael Schaffer can be reached by email at mschaffer@oskyherald.com
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The Oskaloosa Herald