As the new year approaches, Adel Mayor Jim Peters is looking ahead to various city projects in the works.

Peters says the City of Adel worked on four major projects in 2025 and progress will continue in the new year. One of those is replacing the 52-year-old public safety building. Peters details that the city has commissioned a study to assess the needs for space and location.

“We’re in the midst of a study for that right now, possibly considering combining the police department and fire department. They’re combined right now, in a 52-year-old building. And we’re going to see if it would work for them to stay together in a new public safety building. Or have the fire department move to a new station and then remodel the existing public safety building to fit specifically the police department.”

He adds that the study will look at combining the fire and police departments in a new building or moving the fire department to a new station and remodeling the existing public safety building to accommodate the police department. 

Peters says another project the city is looking to make progress on is Water Tower Park. He explains that the city acquired 39 acres of land near the aquatic center in the southwest part of the community. 

The land was purchased eight years ago and Peters hopes to see dirt work start next year to get the land ready to build for park activities.

Peters adds that annexation is another project the city will continue to work on in the new year. With Adel-DeSoto-Minburn’s new high school site being annexed into city limits, Peters details that they are looking to annex additional property in the south end of the community.

The city will also see a change in leadership as Peters’ time as mayor is coming to a close after 34 years. Mayor-elect Tim Crannell has been sworn in and his term will start on January 1. A new city administrator was also recently hired and Tim Vick will take over the role on January 12.