More developments continue to be seen in the downtown area of Jefferson, including the location of two businesses.

City Administrator Scott Peterson says one of those is being renovated on the west side of the square with Art on the Fly and John’s Appliance building.

“That’s the area that Bolton and Menk now is in the process of remodeling that and turning this into their expanded offices. Really looking for great things from Bolton and Menk in the downtown area, just being a really, really stable, stable company who come down and anchor a downtown area. And look for them to increase their business then too, as they look to increase the size of their office and bring in additional staff.”

Peterson points out another noticeable transformation that continues to take place is at the corner of East Lincoln Way and South Chestnut Street with Journey Financial Owner Tim Heisterkamp, with the re-built east wall and currently re-doing the front facade. A building renovation that was completed was the front facade of the ReMax Legacy/Midwest Wellness and Recovery building on the southwest corner of the square, and a current upper story, two apartment rental projects with The Centennial building and the owners of Why Not Us. 

Peterson explains that most of these projects either had a forgivable loan or a facade grant through the city programs, a Challenge Grant from Main Street Iowa or a Community Development Block Grant to make these improvements and upgrades possible, which he appreciates seeing that level of commitment.

“And we have a very, very vibrant downtown. And as a smaller community, smaller rural community, you know there’s a lot of rural communities that can’t say that. Just very proud of the way that the community comes together and supports the downtown and happy that the city can be a really good partner with that.” 

Peterson adds the upper story apartment project with Why Not Us is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.