The Marshalltown city council voted unanimously to move forward with the plans and specifications for the first round of improvements at Riverview Park during Monday night’s regular meeting.

The 80-acre park on the north edge of town along Highway 14 is the city’s largest, and the total cost of the inaugural phase is estimated at $2.2 million. Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Hubbard came before the council and explained that the proposal they were considering was the result of a master plan and data gathering process that began in 2022 with design work completed in 2023.

“I think the entire project came to over, like, $10 million. Some of that was $3 million for the campground (and) $3 million for the event space and amphitheater, but those were all future phases,” he said. “So Phase One was kind of (meant) to deal with the lagoon. We thought we were gonna need to do a total overhaul of the lagoon to the tune of $2.5 million but then found out that the pond that’s south of the park now will hold the 100-year flood water. So we don’t need to expand the lagoon.”

As a result of that development, Hubbard came to the council with other recommendations for the park. There will still be some lagoon improvements, he said, along with a new bridge across the lagoon, four additional pickleball courts, an astroturf volleyball court similar to the one at Kiwanis Park and lights for all of them, including the existing basketball court, and a new playground at Reunion Hall.

Hubbard and his team also solicited public input on the Reunion Hall playground and said the winning bidder came from Midwest Sports. He then showed several renderings and provided details on the materials and structures, noting that they are handicap accessible.

Councilor Barry Kell commented that when he utilized the Compost Facility last Saturday, he was impressed with how full Riverview was as patrons were playing soccer, volleyball and other sports.

“It was great to see people utilizing that park, and with these enhancements, it should only make that a further draw. So I’m very excited for this,” he said.

According to Hubbard, a solar powered light has been added to the small dog area and between â…” and ½ of the large dog area. Councilor Melisa Fonseca asked him about a space for parents to exercise while their kids are using the playground, recalling the arrangement at Mega-10 Park. Hubbard responded that there was “pretty much” a trail around the lagoon right now, but Fonseca clarified that she was just wondering about the playground area.

“There’s sidewalk all the way around the playground, yes,” Hubbard said.

Councilor Mike Ladehoff wanted to know if a horseshoe court would be included in the project, which Hubbard said was part of a bid alternative, though he wasn’t sure if it would fit within the budget as it would need to be handicap accessible.

“Where they’re located will be a pretty large chunk of sidewalk to get there to make it accessible, but I think right now, according to the engineer’s estimate, we should pull that out there by the log cabin, and they would go where the old volleyball court is that’s there right now,” Hubbard said.

Ladehoff noted that there was a horseshoes national champion from the surrounding area, and Hubbard said the courts could be expanded in the future if the demand exists and people are willing to kick in more money. Councilor Jeff Schneider hoped some lagoon dredging would still be completed in the future to improve the appearance, and Hubbard said it could end up falling within a second phase and suggested that such a phase focus on the lagoon and the park’s roads.

Before the discussion wrapped up, Mayor Joel Greer commented on the popularity of disc golf at Riverview, and Hubbard said there are plans for new signs with QR codes that would take players to a drone video of each hole and sponsorships from local businesses. A motion from Schneider to proceed with the plans as presented passed by a unanimous 7-0 vote.

The project is already out for bid, and bids will be due in mid-September to be approved at the Sept. 23 meeting. Hubbard expects most of the construction to occur in the spring and summer of 2025.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a five-day alcohol license with outdoor service for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies for Oktemberfest from Sept. 26-29.

• Approved a five-day Class C retail alcohol license with outdoor service for Midnight Ballroom to host a rodeo at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds on Oct. 5.

• Awarded the contract to Con-Struct Inc. in the amount of $62,702.20 for the West High Street and South 6th Street intersection improvement project. South 6th Street will remain open during the project, while the area of West High Street near the intersection will be closed.

• Approved a resolution for the conveyance and transfer of the east half of 510 E. Main St. from the city of Marshalltown to RMB Cooperative.

• Approved the third and final reading of an amendment to Chapter 157 of the code of ordinances regarding land subdivision regulations.

• Recognized Marshalltown Public Library Youth Services Director Joa LaVille and Library Assistant Ann Rolston for 25 and 15 years of service, respectively.

——

Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.