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Our Postville
Where change happens
#OurPostville
elements
What are the places we can improve to help achieve these goals and what are the elements that we need to include in order to do so?
Remember that we are trying to achieve our vision, and accomplish three primary goals:
Vision
Vision Statement: Postville is a place where the American Dream can be achieved, with opportunities for business,
education, and recreation, and cultural and social diversity that contribute to a high quality of life.
Goals
A better place for business
A better place to visit
A better place to live
Below are a few of the ideas. There are both general ideas that could be implemented a various places and specific ideas that are linked to a certain place. The goal(s) that each of these ideas could help us reach are indicated by the labels you see above.
Which ideas will work best here in Postville? You'll have a chance to share your answer on the last page.
We'll start with one very specific idea:
A better place for business
Entrepreneurial center
A business enterprise center can provide storage, working space, visibility, and start-up assistance to entrepreneurs. Many facilities have rentable kitchens and warehousing space, and some provide storefront rental space as well.
A better place to visit
A better place for business
Byway development
Did you know that the Driftless Area Scenic Byway begins in Postville? This 100-mile scenic drive has some of the best scenery in Iowa, and could be a major tourism attraction. But we need to promote it first. If we have a place for people to stop and learn about the byway, they are more likely to spend time in Postville and utilize local businesses.
A better place to visit
A better place for business
Downtown buildings
Downtown Postville is the heart of the community. How can we make sure that it remains the commercial center as well? Many other communities, some nearby, have found success through assisting building owners with renovations to buildings through financing and grants. This reduces the costs to new businesses, which don't have to undertake costly renovations before opening.
For a good example of a small town that has done a lot with its buildings, take a look at State Center.
A better place to visit
History and historic elements
Postville has a unique and interesting story, but few visitors know about it. Telling our story can help to provide interest and context for Postville and change the narrative about our community. They will also provide additional points of interest for visitors passing through, encouraging people to stop and visit local businesses.
A better place to visit
A better place for business
A better place to live
Pedestrian visibility, safety, and environment
Changes to street and sidewalk layout, crosswalks, and landscaping will create a safer place for people of all ages and abilities to walk to businesses, schools, institutions, and other places of interest. This is an important element for both residents and visitors to feel more comfortable visiting downtown and taking steps to live healthier lives.
A better place to visit
A better place to live
Native plants can be incorporated into strategies for stormwater management and landscaping sites throughout town. They also provide food and habitat for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies, as well as points of interest for people on foot.
A better place to visit
A better place for business
Electric Vehicle Charging station
This may seem like a strange idea: who has an electric car in Postville? But a car charging station would provide a hard-to-find service for people traveling on highways and who might otherwise not stop in Postville. Because it can take a long time for cars to charge, people are likely to spend time- and money- here.
A better place to visit
A better place to live
Street Trees
Postville has many old trees providing shade and shelter throughout the city. But the trees require maintenance and replacement. There are also places where trees are missing. Trees along sidewalks create an inviting, pleasant atmosphere for visitors and residents. Maintaining this 'tree canopy' will be an important part of building a community that people want to visit, move to, and invest in.
Solar panels
Encouraging the installation of solar panels on commerical roofs and on home could help Postville businesses and residents save money. Panels can be fit onto roofs, or on vacant or underutilized land that is ulikely to see redevelopment for other purposes. Installation of power generating solar array could help to build northeast Iowa’s solar industry and provide a “first” for the community and an example for other area businesses.
There are many examples of brownfield sites used for solar “brightfields” projects, but this model is not currently in use in Postville. Project partners could include Alliant Energy, Winneshiek & Clayton Energy Districts, and the USDA.
A better place for business
A better place to visit
This is a fun idea: what if we created a new landmark or visual icon for Postville? Does that sound odd or far-fetched? Check out the Dysart Gorge, the new sign (and slogan) for Manning, or the Coffee Pot water tower in Stanton. These help form an image and identity for those towns- and give people a positive, memorable reference point. What would represent Postville well?
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