‘Stan Clement Drive’ proposal passes first reading

Improvements to the new public works office in Legacy Plaza, acquisition of real estate for the D&D Program and the first of three readings to name a street after a man who was instrumental in the construction of the Iowa Speedway were all approved July 6, by the Newton City Council.

Stan Clement, the former CEO and president of the Iowa Speedway, died on May 7. To honor his memory and contributions to Newton, the mayor proposed to rename the 2500-2700 blocks of Lincoln Street, between Rusty Wallace Drive and Iowa Speedway Drive, to "Stan Clement Drive."

Newton Mayor Mike Hansen proposed the renamed street, which was presented and approved by the city’s planning and zoning commission at its June 9 meeting. If the ordinance is approved — which takes place after the third reading — the only cost associated would be for new street signs.

Residents along this roadway “may have minor costs associated with change of address for personal business.” At the planning and zoning commission’s meeting, Hansen indicated a private individual created fund to assist people with these particular costs, if needed.

Public works office improvements

Now that the city has entered into a lease agreement with Des Moines Area Community College for public works, community development and community services to have office space at Legacy Plaza, the city is contracted to complete some tenant improvements.

The city council awarded Edge Commercial, LLC, of Grimes, a $199,900 contract to make improvements to the office space on the fifth floor of Building 18 of Legacy Plaza. Bergstrom Construction, Inc. and Christner Contracting, Inc. provided $228,000 and $200,500 bids, respectively.

Edge Commercial, LLC will construct a customer service lobby, interior offices, conference rooms, a copy room, mail room and file and plat storage rooms. Other improvements include LED lighting upgrades, fire sprinkler modifications, electrical, phone and date wiring and office furnishings, among other things.

The substantial completion date is set for Aug. 31. City documents said the project will be paid for using proposed 2019B and 2020A Bond proceeds.

City acquires real estate for D&D

A Newton home on the 600 block of East 13th Street North is a prime candidate for the city’s D&D Program. Council members approved staff’s request to acquire this particular property for sale by the Florence Howell Estate. Purchasing this property aligns with the city’s goals to improve neighborhoods and curb appeal.

The mid-20th century home, located at 602 E. 13th St. N., has a foundation that is caving in. Florence Howell Estate agreed to sell the property for $10,000, well under its assessed value. City staff analyzed the property, assessing its land and building value at $40,320; the land is assessed at $19,390.

Once the home is under city staff’s control, the building will be analyzed further to determine the best path forward: demolition or rehabilitation. City documents said the property is situated in “an otherwise well-maintained neighborhood and would provide for an excellent location for rehabilitation or redevelopment.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or
cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com