Last year was another progressive one for the City of Jefferson.

Mayor Craig Berry says a major success for the City was the announcement of the $1 million matching grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the Community Development Block Grant. City officials and Jefferson Matters: Main Street teamed up with 16 downtown business owners to renovate the exteriors of the buildings and bring them back to their historical look. Berry adds that coupled with another downtown project, the area will hopefully look even more attractive that it already does.

“Well I think it’s going real good. With the Bell Tower (Community) Foundation getting the money to finish off the bell tower, I think it’s going to focus more people to the downtown, I think it’s going to look better. It’s just going to be outstanding.”

Construction is slated to start early this spring.

Another effort the City Council made in 2016 was investing tax increment financing dollars into three downtown buildings. The City is working with Rosie and Ray Tucker to purchase 111 East Lincoln Way. The City also owns a building at 200 East State Street and 205 North Wilson Avenue. The Council approved an amount to not exceed $150,000 to update and renovate each building and get them ready to be sold to potential buyers.

While it’s been a lot of work to repair the buildings, Berry thinks the City has reached it’s capacity.

“As Mayor, I do not want to see the City take on anymore buildings right at the present time. I know we have one going off with the Kendall Building (former Linda’s Fashion) but I don’t want to see the City stay in ownership of three buildings constantly.”

As far as the Pizza Ranch building, Berry says there’s been no final plans developed, but Pizza Ranch corporate wants to stay in Jefferson and continue to have a location here.