CLEAR LAKE – Your tax dollars are making certain a new entertainment zone in Clear Lake will be really special, after the State of Iowa promised over $4.3 million earlier and now Cerro Gordo county is promising $250,000, but Clear Lake estimates the project will only cost $3.3 million.
Back in 2022, NIT reported the City of Clear Lake was awarded $4,370,000 toward their Clear Lake Surf District project, according to Governor Kim Reynolds’ office. This grant will assist in the expansion and relocation of Clear Lake’s Music Enrichment Center to allow for improved performances and educational experiences; gateway and streetscape enhancements around and on Buddy Holly Place; and waterfront connections from the Surf Ballroom to the lakeshore. This award represents 40% of $35.2 million in public and private investment in the Clear Lake Surf District. Funding for this program was made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act – passed by Democrats in the US Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The program was vehemently opposed by Kim Reynolds and Republican Iowa Congress members, including Ashley Hinson.
This week, on February 12, the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors approved more money for the project. Supervisor Casey Callanan, an insurance businessman from Clear Lake who sources tell NIT does some business with the county, moved with Supervisor Chris Watts seconding, to contribute $250,000 split between two years to the Clear Lake Surf District project. Motion passed unanimously with Supervisor Lori Meacham Ginapp approving.
At the February 5, 2024 Clear Lake city council meeting, the project seemed to be moving forward on its anticipated spring construction schedule. According to meeting minutes:
Scott Flory, City Administrator, gave an update on the Destination Iowa Surf District Creative Placemaking Streetscape Project and stated that the Council will review the proposed final plans and estimate of cost for the Surf District Streetscape Project and establish the date for a bid letting and public hearing. He advised that it is proposed to hold the bid letting on February 29th at 11:00 a.m. and the public hearing on March 4th at 5:30 p.m. Pat Dunn, RDG and Jason Petersburg, P.E., Veenstra & Kimm, gave an overview of the project plans and project schedule and stated that the preliminary opinion of the probable cost of construction is $3.3 million. Flory reminded the Council that the Destination Iowa Creative Placemaking grant will reimburse the City for approximately 40% of these project costs. Schumacher introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption, seconded by Brant. Roll Call: Passed Unanimously.”
Demolition on structures in the area of the Surf District that didn’t fit the plan began last fall, as NIT previously reported.
They’re going to make the Surf boring so the rich people living across the street don’t have any noise while they watch TV. They don’t want anyone having any fun.
That could be a true angle. We’ve heard that people having fun really annoys certain types.
Guess they could always build a skywalk to nowhere.