Main Street Lansing’s “Bridges to Renewal” Vision Plan honored by Main Street Iowa at annual awards celebration
Bridges to Renewal Vision Plan honored by Main Street Iowa ... Representatives of Main Street Lansing are pictured above after the Bridges to Renewal - Lansing Iowa Vision Plan they helped create for the community of Lansing was awarded a Comprehensive Placemaking Effort Award at the Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration held Friday, April 19 in Des Moines. Pictured, left to right, are Ian Zahren, Fred Easker, Mary Palmborg, Andrew Boddicker, Laura Gentry, Maryann Baldwin, Andy Kelleher and Bruce Palmborg. Submitted photo.
Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration Friday evening, April 19 in Des Moines. The program honors the efforts of local leaders who work to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns and Main Street districts.
The City of Lansing and Main Street Lansing received the Comprehensive Placemaking Effort Award at that April 19 celebration for its Bridges to Renewal - Lansing Iowa Vision Plan. In addition, Steve Murray was honored as Main Street Lansing’s Volunteer of the Year for 2023 and was presented his award certificate, which was accepted on his behalf by Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andrew Boddicker in Murray’s absence.
Bridges to Renewal is a vision plan for the community of Lansing focused on four main areas, including Recreational & Community Activity Enhancements; Community Development; Arts & Culture, Historic Preservation & Beautification; and Economic & Housing Development. Developed through wide-ranging engagement with community members, the vision plan has a focus of Lansing being “a growing, thriving and welcoming community with high quality services, amenities, recreation opportunities, small town charm, education, community organizations and businesses that honor our history and commit to growth and progress for future generations.”
The complete Bridges to Renewal - Lansing Iowa Vision Plan can be found online at https://www.lansingiowa.com/documents/.
In addition to Andrew Boddicker, Main Street Lansing was further represented in receiving the award by Bruce Palmborg, Mary Palmborg, Fred Easker, Velga Easker, Laura Gentry, Maryann Baldwin, Ian Zahren and Andy Kelleher. Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), and Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa state coordinator, presented the honors.
“The Main Street Iowa program stands as one of the nation’s most distinguished, as witnessed from the award-winning projects in rehabilitation, business recruitment and support, facade improvement, housing, placemaking and special events,” said Director Durham. “It’s evident that Main Street Iowa communities thrive under passionate leadership, achieving remarkable success.”
“Seeing the impactful efforts of local Main Street program staff, volunteers, and communities is inspiring,” said Coordinator Wagler. “With significant growth in businesses, jobs, and investments across communities of all sizes, these districts serve as inspiring examples of what’s achievable for Iowa’s downtowns.”
Main Street Iowa was established in 1985 and operates as a part of the IEDA’s Downtown Resource Center. Since its inception, the Main Street Iowa program has had a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, including more than $2.7 billion in private investments, more than 3.8 million volunteer hours, more than 5,500 new businesses created and more than 16,600 jobs.
For more information about Main Street Iowa and how all Iowa communities can access commercial revitalization assistance through the Iowa Downtown Resource Center, visit iowaeda.com/downtown-resource-center, email Michael.Wagler@iowaeda.com or call 515-348-6184. For more information about Main Street Lansing, contact Andrew Boddicker at 563-538-9229 or at director@lansingmatters.com, or visit online at https://www.lansingiowa.com/who-are-we/.
