The City of Ottumwa has been awarded a $300,000 Downtown Housing Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for the Capitol Lofts Project.
The award is part of a special round of state and local fiscal recovery funding for projects included in the American Rescue Plan. The funds will support rehabilitating the second floor of the Capitol Theater building at 231 E Main to create four new apartment units. The total project cost is estimated at $1 million. Legacy Foundation, which owns the building will contribute $700,000 in private investment, the project will not require any City funding.
“It will be so rewarding to bring this historic building to life once again while simultaneously offering the community additional housing solutions,” said Kelly Genners, President and CEO of the Legacy Foundation.
“We currently have 110 apartments in downtown Ottumwa and they are all rented,” said Community Development Director Zach Simonson. “Downtown is quickly becoming a thriving neighborhood and that supports downtown retail and the city’s mission to build 500 new units of housing by 2030.”
The Capitol Theater stands at the corner of Main Street and Green Street. Built around 1920, the theater continued providing arts and entertainment when it was purchased and remodeled by CEC Theaters along with the Capri Theater in 1985. Unfortunately, the curtain finally closed for the theater in 2004. The Legacy Foundation purchased the property in 2012 and has been pursuing its rehabilitation. Those efforts, which already exceed $1 million, include the award-winning 2017 façade improvements.
The project will begin this summer.
The Ottumwa Historic Preservation Commission is accepting nominations for the 2023 Excellence in Preservation Awards.
Inflated tire disposal costs have driven the Ottumwa/Wapello County Recycling Center to raise the fee for disposing of tires.
The City of Ottumwa has been awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for the upper-story apartment project at 307 East Main Street.
Shared electric scooter company Bird Rides has launched its app-based e-scooter program in Ottumwa.
Internet users interested in local historic preservation will have a new way to engage with the Historic Preservation Commission online. The Commission has expanded its online presence, offering new resources and a guided walking tour. The new webpage, www.cityofottumwa.com/preservation, includes a record of local nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, news about historic preservation in Ottumwa and a virtual guided tour. When the Commission launches its newsletter this summer, the webpage will also house current and past issues.
Improved permitting software will now allow Ottumwa residents and contractors to make payments for permits online. City Hall Departments adopted the new software, iWorQ, in March. In addition to improving recordkeeping and coordination between departments, the software has a number of features available to the public via the Public Portal. Residents and contractors can use the Public Portal to complete permit applications, search active permits, check the status of open code enforcement files and, beginning this week, make permit payments. The Public Portal supports licenses issued by the City Clerk, building and rental permits issued by Building and Code Enforcement and fence and sign permits issued by the Planning Department.