Surf District declared ‘Iowa Great Place’

Grant money will fund sound system at 3 Stars Plaza, Surf parking, marquee improvements

 The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) announced Thursday it has approved an Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board recommendation to award $613,500 for projects in three new Iowa Great Places – Clear Lake’s Surf District, Madison County and Marshalltown – and the Danish Villages.

  “We’re very excited the Iowa Great Places program is being reinvigorated with the addition of these three communities,” DCA Director Mary Cownie said. “Congratulations to them and the Danish Villages for receiving project grant funding this year, and we thank the Citizen Advisory Board members for their tireless work and Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature for their support.”
  “It gives me pleasure to see such a high level of visioning, collaboration and private investment happening in communities across our state as represented by these projects,” said Nick Glew of Marion, chair of the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board. “These communities are investing in what makes them unique and authentic Great Places.”
  The program challenges Iowans to create community development proposals that exemplify bold thought and innovation; encourage creativity and entrepreneurship; foster a sense of place and identity; and demonstrate a commitment to enhancing community vitality and quality of life. Proposals are submitted to and reviewed by the 12-person Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Committee, which looks for the following criteria in making its recommendations: a guiding vision plan and interrelated set of strategies; broad-based support for projects that include multiple local and regional partners and public-private partnerships; and strong organizational capacity demonstrated by financial and programmatic performance and service to constituents.
  This year, the board reviewed proposals from 18 Iowa communities, with six finalists requesting a total of $1.9 million.
The legendary Surf Ballroom is the focal point of the Surf District. The anticipated outcomes of the projects include promoting the historic, artistic, educational and cultural qualities of the Surf District; enhancing the built environment around the historic Surf Ballroom; and providing a way-finding system to - Read More Via e-Edition