CHAPTER 6: THE SQUARE & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

THE SQUARE VISION Increase downtown employment opportunities through business attraction, retention, and revitalization, while accounting for the need for workforce housing opportunities.

INTRODUCTION The objective of this pillar is to preserve the downtown square, making the historic buildings (see Figure 6.3) the center of Adel. The Square provides a unique appeal and is a distinctive attraction in Dallas County. The buildings are linked to the history of the city; maintaining and capitalizing on their architectural details will provide the polish needed for the downtown to become a symbol of the city.

GOALS & POLICIES Goal 1: Preserve the historical significance of Adel’s downtown. 1. Provide incentives to encourage the rehabilitation and reuse of historic buildings and improvement of brick streets (see Figure 6.1). 2. Identify and nominate eligible sites in and around the Square to the National Register of Historic Places with the assistance of the Adel Historic Preservation Commission and install additional plaques. 3. Initiate new methods of adding to a historic preservation fund and raising public awareness of local landmarks that are significant to maintaining Adel’s historic charm. 4. Educate The Square’s property owners about and enforce the design standards laid out by the Adel Historic Preservation Commission. 5. Create a series of free guided walking tours that highlight the Square’s history, architecture, and businesses.

Figure 6.1 Brick Streets and the Historic Witmer Building in Downtown Adel

Figure 6.2 Map ofHistoric Buildings in Downtown Adel

Goal 2: Integrate the Raccoon River Valley Trail with The Square. 1. Create bike signage directing cyclists downtown to support businesses around The Square and to increase motorists’ awareness of bicyclists. 2. Link the Raccoon River Valley Trail (Figure 6.3) to downtown Adel through the creation of new bike lanes, creating an orderly network of bike trails/paths within the downtown boundary aligned with Adel’s “Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan.” 3. Partner with businesses to create space for bike parking to welcome riders to The Square, utilizing alleyways when appropriate, and design standards for bike racks that will be in keeping with the historical character of downtown (Figure 6.4). 4. Evaluate conditions of sidewalks around The Square and create a timeline for repairing and/or widening sidewalks where necessary.

Figure 6.3 The Raccoon River Valley Trail in Adel

Figure 6.4 Buildings in Adel’s Historic Square

Source: City of Adel

Goal 3: Encourage appropriate redevelopment and reinvestment that creates lasting value for downtown Adel. 1. Identify target areas for redevelopment and revitalization that encourage multi-use activity centers. 2. Implement and update sign regulations for downtown. 3. Implement new branding for downtown Adel, which will be used at specified “gateways” to the area, such as the intersection of Greene Street and Nile Kinnick Drive. 4. Encourage a more appropriate balance between private and public building ownership for The Square.

Source: City of Adel

CASE STUDY: GREENFIELD, IA Figure 6.5 The Historic Warren Opera House in Greenfield, IA

Source: City of Greenfield

Greenfield, Iowa has been hailed as a success for revitalizing its downtown square. The Iowa Economic Development Authority describes Greenfield as “[demonstrating] the payoff of an incremental process paired with a bold vision for the new chapter of downtown.” The end result of this process has been additional foot traffic in the historic district. Since becoming a Main Street Iowa community in 1995, Greenfield has seen over $9 million in investments in 121 building and preservation projects, according to the 2019 fiscal year report from Main Street Iowa.

Greenfield’s Historic Preservation Commission has created selfguided walking tours of the downtown square, which includes such historic buildings as the Warren Opera House seen in Figure 6.6. The commission also makes annual appeals to the business community for funds to assist with the Greenfield Chamber/Main Street Development Corporation. According to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs database, Greenfield has also received two grants: one for implementing design guidelines for the Public Square Historic District (awarded in 2019) and one for their Historic Walking Building Tour (awarded in 2015). Both of these projects align well with Adel’s goals of protecting and promoting its historic character, as well as making the historic square a destination for residents and visitors alike.

CONCLUSION The Square is downtown Adel’s beating heart and a strong community asset. It will be preserved and enhanced through careful planning and implementation of this action plan. Through partnerships, funding, and action steps, the Square will maintain its historic character while incorporating the Raccoon River and Adel’s Raccoon River Valley Trail over the next 20 years.

POTENTIAL PARTNERS • Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) • Adel Historic Preservation Commission (AHPC) • City of Adel (CoA) • Dallas County (DC) • Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce (APCC) • Iowa Department of Transportation (IADOT) • Economic Development Commission (EDC) • Dallas County Department of Secondary Roads (DCDSR) • Housing Assistance Council (HAC) • Adel Historical Museum (AHM) • Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IADNR) • Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) • Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs • Downtown businesses • Local artists • Local bike groups

POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES • Historical Resource Development Program • Iowa Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program • Federal, State, and Local Tax Incentives • BUILD Grants • Iowa’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) • Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) • Historic Preservation Easement Tax Incentive • Certified Local Government Grants

Table 6.1 The Square Implementation Matrix

IMPLEMENTATION AND TIMELINE

Goal 1: Preserve the historical significance of Adel’s downtown.

Policy Actions Timeline Partners Funding Priority Provide incentives to encourage the rehabilitation and reuse of historic buildings and improvement of brick streets. Meet with property owners around the historic square to better understand concerns about preservation expenses Educate property owners about avenues to receive funds for preservation Ongoing CoA, APCC, DC, AHPC Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Historic Preservation Easement Tax Incentive Iowa Workforce Housing Tax Credit program Medium

Apply for grant funding to assist with the rehabilitation of buildings, particularly those with upper story units

Identify and nominate eligible sites in and around the Square to the National Register of Historic Places with the assistance of the Adel Historic Preservation Commission and install additional plaques.

Initiate new methods of adding to a historic preservation fund and raising public awareness of local landmarks that are significant to maintaining Adel’s historic charm. Explore land records, Dallas County Assessor’s web resources, and archives

Research nominations from private citizens to determine their appropriateness

Meetings between the city and the Adel Historic Preservation Commission for brainstorming ideas

Consider a “round-up program” on utility bills, wherein the amount rounded up would contribute to a preservation fund Ongoing AHPC Certified Local Government Grants High

Short CoA, AHPC Options to round up utility bills

Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Medium

Educate The Square’s property owners about and enforce the design standards laid out by the Adel Historic Preservation Commission. Determine informational event date, time, venue

Develop presentation Medium CoA, AHPC Certified Local Government Grants

Collaborate on making these design standards into ordinances

Create a series of free guided walking tours that highlight the Square’s history, architecture, and businesses. Create volunteer position

Develop script

Develop self guided tour brochure

Add tour markers around the downtown

Use QR codes at tour markers to provide information Medium APCC, AHM, AHPC Historical Resource Development Program High

Low

Goal 2: Integrate the Raccoon River Valley Trail with The Square.

Policy Actions Timeline Partners Funding Priority Create bike signage directing cyclists downtown to support businesses around The Square and to increase motorists’ awareness of bicyclists. Apply for appropriate grants Determine sign placement/number of signs Short CoA TAP High

Install signage after funds are received and a timeline is established

Link the Raccoon River Valley Trail to downtown Adel through the creation of new bike lanes, creating an orderly network of bike trails/paths within the downtown boundary aligned with Adel’s “Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan.”

Partner with businesses to create space for bike parking to welcome riders to The Square, utilizing alleyways when appropriate, and design standards for bike racks that will be in keeping with the historical character of downtown

Evaluate conditions of sidewalks around The Square and create a timeline for repairing and/or widening sidewalks where necessary. Collaborate with Adel Parks and Recreation to align trail linkages to The Square with the “Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan”

Create a timeline for the creation of bike lanes, beginning with welltraveled streets that can act as models for additional projects

Survey best locations for bike lanes

Paint bike lanes and add signage

Reach out to downtown businesses and build relationships

Work with Adel’s Historic Preservation Commission to keep design in line with the downtown character

Install bike racks Medium CoA, IADNR, IADOT, DC BUILD Grants Medium

Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP)

Short CoA, APCC, AHPC, Local bike groups Corporate sponsorships and partnerships (i.e. Raccoon Pavilion)

Special Use Permits (i.e. Dog Park, Archery Range)

Volunteer/In-kind donations

TAP

TSIP

Project specific fundraisers

Private donations

TAP High

Survey conditions of sidewalks

Create timeline for repair and/or construction

Begin implementing repairs, starting with a well-used section that can serve as a model for additional projects Long CoA Sales tax, TSIP Low

Goal 3: Encourage appropriate redevelopment and reinvestment that creates lasting value for downtown Adel.

Policy Actions Timeline Partners Funding Priority Identify target areas for redevelopment and revitalization that encourage multi-use activity centers. Research properties within The Square that could support multiple uses Medium CoA, APCC High

Work with business owners to create public-private partnerships for the operation of the activity centers

Implement and update sign regulations for downtown.

Implement new branding for downtown Adel, which will be used at specified “gateways” to the area, such as the intersection of Greene Street and Nile Kinnick Drive.

Encourage a more appropriate balance between private and public building ownership for The Square. Develop updated sign regulations

Acquire board approval Short CoA, DC Low

Vote on design/branding

Identify sites for gateway arches and create construction timeline

Hire local artists

Engage with both county and city staff

Identify best uses of buildings

Utilize building swaps when appropriate

Develop options for county owned, private rented properties Medium CoA, Local artists Friends Associations (Nonprofit groups committed to helping raise funds for projects to better their community) Medium

Long CoA, DC Low