(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday, approved a request from Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) Community Development Director Alexsis Fleener, to support an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), for a $900,000 CDBG-CV (Community Development Block Grant-Covid Recovery) grant to facilitate facade improvements to buildings in the 200-to 210-block of Chestnut Street, in downtown Atlantic.

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Fleener says the City’s support is needed in advance of the submission of the application to IEDA, as they will judge which projects are to be approved in the next grant cycle. The application deadline is April 30th. If approved, the City would act as the holder of the construction contract without any financial obligation. The building’s owners are Keith and Cindy Steffens.

The proposed plan will bring the buildings to good condition by repairing or replacing elements of the fronts of the buildings, which could include brick tuckpointing, windows, doors, painting, awnings, and storefront work.

The Steffens’ property is not the only project on the list for downtown improvements.

She says once it begins, construction will take approximately ten months to complete and must be completed by June 2023. In other news, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved a preliminary plat for the Redwood Subdivision for residential development. The land will be used for the creation of nine new lots for single-family homes. The first reading of a related ordinance changing the area zoning classification from R-4 (multiple family) to R-2 (low density single family),was also approved.

The Atlantic City Council also held and approved the first reading of Ordinances pertaining to the “Mowing of Properties” (reducing the maximum allowable growth of grass from 12 inches to 9 inches), and an Ordinance under Nuisance Abatement to include the amended mowing ordinance.

If the property owner fails to comply after the 2nd notice, the City would mow the grass and bill the owner accordingly. The hourly rate for mowing would be considerably higher than if a private mower were hired to handle the unsightly grassy area.