MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A plan to revitalize the Marshalltown Mall is awaiting a vote Monday, and it could be a toss-up before the City Council. The new property owners have a plan to renovate the mall and secure several new national retailers on the property. The new owners of the property, the Kohan Retail Investment Group, are planning to put this before the city council: a more than $20 million dollar renovation to convert the mall and repair the property. “I’m delighted that a developer is willing to come in that has some history of this and some experience in this. Put together a plan to basically build this back up. I think this is exactly what this city needs,” said Greg Nichols, Marshalltown City Council. But not everyone on the city council is as excited about the plan. Though he’s also excited to see the property revitalized, Councilman Gary Thompson said in part “…The proposal that is coming before the Council on Monday night is a textbook example of the blatant misuse of TIF. This is nothing more than a spot abatement.”
MUSCATINE, Iowa (KCRG) – An explosion occurred at a Muscatine home early Saturday morning. At around 6:20 a.m., the Muscatine Joint Communications Center received a 911 call reporting the sound of an explosion and visible smoke at a residence on 8th Street. There were similar reports of an explosion and smoke from that area. Upon arriving at the scene, fire crews found light smoke around the residence and visible damage to the front door that appeared to be from an explosion. The residents of the home were all safely outside when fire crews arrived. Firefighters quickly cleared smoke from the interior of the residence. The incident is still under investigation, and it is believed that this was an isolated event. Preliminary damage is estimated at around $1,000.
GREENFIELD, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A year after an EF-4 tornado devastated the south side of Greenfield, a group of neighbors has unveiled a memorial to honor the first responders, volunteers, and victims of the disaster. While progress has been made to restore the area, residents said there are still reminders of the storm. Community members said rebuilding took more than just those who lived there. That’s why a few neighbors put together the money and labor for a memorial. “I’m glad we could do something for all the people who came and helped so we don’t forget about them,” said Nathan Hubenka, whose house was destroyed in the tornado. Hubenka said while many people would like to forget that day last May, it’s important to remember and honor everyone who helped them rebuild.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau/KCRG) – Friday, a much anticipated vote on eminent domain restrictions didn’t happen. The House has passed various bills for a few years, but a group of Republican senators are trying to force a vote in the Senate. This is in an attempt to stop a proposed carbon capture pipeline. State regulators gave the company permission to use eminent domain to access people’s property for the project. Friday, dozens of people on both sides came to the statehouse to try and lobby legislators and pack the galleries to watch what was expected to be a really tense debate. Lawmakers sat in closed door meetings all day and then decided not to vote on the bill. That left landowners trying to stop the pipeline feeling frustrated. After adjournment, Harrison County landowner Sherri Webb said, “I guess four years and another day is what we will be doing again next Monday. We have waited four years for it to get this far. There’s the strength.” Montgomery County landowner James Norris said, “It was passed in the House 85 to 10 and 85 to 12. Massive majority voting for this and the Senate because of a few bought and paid for politicians will not allow this to come up for a vote.” People who want a pipeline also held a rally saying that the pipeline would be a boost for Iowa’s agricultural economy and provide jobs. So much of the uncertainty at play here is due to an ultimatum that 12 Republican senators gave to their own leadership. They say that they’re not going to support a budget until this bill passes.
