Neola puts its best Front forward

NEOLA, Iowa — Neola is looking into a face-lift for Front Street.

City officials and the Neola Chamber of Commerce are participating in a Community Design Program workshop, sponsored by the Iowa Architectural Foundation, to plan a streetscape on Front Street, the main thoroughfare in the town of 850 residents.

"It's about re-beautifying downtown and bringing in business. You do that, and people will come," Mayor Lon Ring said. "That's what we're trying to do."

Neola chamber member Anna Killpack said a sidewalk improvement plan on Front Street was the impetus for the streetscape project.

"The chamber thought if we do (the sidewalks), we want some beautification as well. So we asked the council to put sidewalks on hold, which it did," Killpack said.

Neola chamber members Penny Christensen, Jackie Corrin and Bobbi Munch worked with Killpack to create a tentative design, which includes old-fashioned streetlights and other "old-time" improvements.

"We want to try to capture that feeling of nostalgia," Killpack said.

Neola officials, working with the Western Iowa Development Association, contacted the Iowa Architectural Foundation to help with design and planning. The development association promotes economic development and expansion in Pottawattamie County, according to Executive Director Lori Holste.

The architectural foundation has conducted similar workshops with Carter Lake, Walnut, Avoca, Oakland, Minden and Council Bluffs, Holste said.

A team of professional architects, designers and Iowa State University students are gathering ideas from Neola residents, with three meetings planned in August. The first was held on Aug. 2, with a second meeting planned for 5 p.m. Aug. 16 at Sweet Gatherings cafe in Neola. A final meeting is tentatively set for Aug. 30.

"The history of a town comes out at these meetings," Holste said. "People say 'Remember when we had that down there?' or 'Let's bring that back.' The whole history and pride factor comes out."

Foundation Executive Director Kristin McHugh-Johnston said the foundation's suggestions likely would include the historic lighting as well as pathways, fencing, landscaping, directional signage and other improvements. Once a plan is set, Neola representatives will work with Western Iowa Development Association to apply for grants to cover the costs of the project.

Killpack said the streetscape project plus the recent restoration of the Phoenix Theater and the addition of new businesses have led to a resurgence of a great sense of community in the town.

"We want to bring about a feeling in Neola," she said. "The overall feeling we're trying to get across is 'Back to the good 'ol days.'�"