APA Iowa Announces Winners of 2017 Planning Awards
The Downtown Clear Lake Plan, developed in partnership with RDG, has been recognized by the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association with an Implementation Award.
The Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Iowa) recently announced its 2017 chapter awards, recognizing the Downtown Clear Lake Plan with the organization’s Implementation Award. Conferred annually, the APA Iowa Chapter Awards honor plans and professionals who work to advance the practice across Iowa.
Clear Lake’s downtown is the front door to one of the state’s three largest natural lakes, providing special distinction and a powerful magnet for visitors. The downtown plan is designed to capitalize on the classic quality of the town, identifying eight key strategic projects (known as “The Big Eight”) and providing both design and financing concepts for their implementation. These focuses include the downtown lakefront, the district’s gateway and civic district on the north side of Main Avenue, a developing arts district and redevelopment opportunities that provide additional downtown housing, lodging, retail and office space. Since its development, several of The Big Eight projects have been implemented, leading to an increase in downtown activity and events.
Additional implemented work includes:
Completion of City Beach Park
Expansion and completion of City Beach Park due to popularity
Completion of Three Stars Plaza
Completion of Buddy Holly Place Streetscape
Clear Lake Arts Center opened in repurposed bank building
Redevelopment of blighted areas
Rehabilitation of the band shell
Streetscape enhancements throughout downtown
Improvements to the Sea Wall
Completion of the downtown park and bathrooms
Downtown children’s splash pad
Boat ramp enhancements
Design for Veteran’s Memorial
Redstone’s Condos opened a mixed-use project with lower-level commercial space
Even bigger and better community events
Removal of an obsolete water tower, replaced with a park
Preservation and restoration of historic building facades
The plan’s success and local commitment stimulated the design and implementation of the lakefront, and the momentum furthered improvements to connecting neighborhoods.