WEBSTER CITY-The Webster City City Council Monday evening discussed four priority properties in the downtown area. They are the Lotus Building, thc Coulter Building, the McNiel Building and at 608 Second. A recommendation from the Webster City Downtown Committee identified the particular properties. The committee was formed by Hamilton County Growth Partnership with assistance of city council member John Marvel. The city staff is requesting an allocation of up to $600,000 to be used for these downtown projects. As part of the process, the city will seek to amend the Urban Renewal Plan to $1 million for downtown projects and nuisance abatement.
The downtown committee recommends the city apply for an Emergency Catalyst Grant. This will require a $100,000 City match to repair the roof and wall. Webster City would first be deeded the building by Lotus, requiring Lotus to cease operations during repairs while the city issues RFPs (Request for Proposals) for a developer to purchase the building and complete upper-story apartments. This building is located at 707 Second Street.
The Coulter Building at the corner of Willson Avenue and Second Street is recommended for demolition at an estimated cost of $179,000 plus the removal of asbestos. While the demolition may impact the adjoining building, Iowa is a “shared wall” state, meaning the city has no legal requirement to perform work on the remaining wall. However, the city may consider filling joist holes. Webster City city staff is addressing zoning code violations regarding the adjoining building through enforcement.
The McNiel Building in the 500 block of Second Street have requested the concrete sidewalk barricades. Engineering firms strongly advise against this or creating walkways due to the high structural failure risk. A mason retained by the owner quoted$120,000 for the facade repair. While a structural report failure risk. A mason retained by the owner quoted $120,000 for facade repair. While a structural report was completed, it lacked a cost analysis, consequently, the city has requested a second report and cost analysis from ISG Engineering. The committee currently recommends a $120,000 forgivable loan for the front facade repair. This recommendation is subject to change once ISG Engineering completes a full structural report and cost analysis.
There has been no recommendation for future revitalization efforts for 608 Second Street.
This was an informational presentation. The staff will bring forward a formal amendment request for the Urban Renewal Plan and a specific allocation request at a future meeting as project costs and engineering reports are finalized.
In other matters from Monday evening, the Webster City City Council accepted the bids from Aw.some Mowing for snow and removal services in Webster City. The charge will be $27/hour for nuisance mowing, $27/lot for City-owned properties, and $37/hour for
snow removal. This is for a three-year period ending in 2029. The council set their next meeting on May 18th for two public hearings. They pertain the disposal of city owned real estate at 128 Apple Avenue and in the Brewer Creek Estates Fifth Addition. The council set June 1st for a public hearing on the designation of the expanded Webster City Riverview Urban Revitalization Area and on an Urban Renewal Amendment in Webster City at 6:05 p.m. This is for the properties on East Second Street for Webster City Custom Meats and Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods.
The Webster City City Council accepted the request from the Webster City FFA for the ‘Take your Tractor to School” set for this Friday,May 8th. The route will begin at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds to Superior and Ohio to Beach Street on to Elm Street ending at the Webster City High School. A request from the Webster City American Legion was accepted for street closures for the Memorial Day Parade set for Monday, May 25. There were proclamations for Community Beautification for May and June, 2026 and for Poppy Days set for May 22nd and 23rd. The sale of the Poppys will help support the work of VA Medical Centers in Iowa.