Historic Oskaloosa Downtown Adds To It’s Appeal
The ribbon was cut on Thursday, officially opening ‘Trolley Place’.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Most Oskaloosans became use to the sight of construction equipment and signs to warn of danger along a portion of High Ave West, just off the square in Oskaloosa, for almost the past year.
All of that effort has earned Oskaloosa some new business location opportunities, as well as downtown living opportunities for some.
Trolley Place, as it has become known, got its name from one of its greatest, Chuck Russell. Russell had an extensive photo collection of Oskaloosa, and in that vast accumulation was a picture of a trolley passing in front of the very building to now carry that name. Hansen said that Russell was a leader in terms of historic preservation in the community.
Six apartments are in place on the second floor over what was the McGregors location and the smaller building that is just to the east of it, known as the Fitch and Fitch building which was named after a harness shop that occupied the building in the past.
The approximately 900 square feet apartments offer elevator access, with one of the units being specifically designed for those with mobility issues. Each of the apartments are one bedroom, one bathroom, and they have an eat-in kitchen area and a well lit living area.
Thursday’s dedication was hosted by Jim Hansen, Vice President of the Oskaloosa Downtown Development.
Oskaloosa Downtown Development is a non-profit organization. It was formed around 2002 ”to basically redevelop properties downtown” Hansen said of the group’s purpose in an earlier interview.
Tackling such a large project, that depended upon many different funding sources, was a challenge for the group. Fitting the various deadlines and requirements proved difficult but, in the end, all was accomplished.
A substantial HUD grant of 1 million dollars, as well as a Iowa Job and Main-street grant of $800,000 dollars. A Main Street Iowa Challenge grant in the amount of $80,000 in conjunction with the Oskaloosa Housing Trust Fund added $50,000 more to help make the project possible.
A view of the kitchen area in one of the new ‘Trolley Place’ apartments.
Hansen explained that a significant number of Historic tax credits were also used.
Hansen thanked the multitude of people that helped to make the project possible, from local project managers to architects and engineers including local bank Midwest-One and the City of Oskaloosa.
Linda Crookham-Hansen says that she felt “relief” with the official opening of the renovated buildings.
The third floor of the buildings are another phase of the project yet to happen, says Crookham-Hansen. “We don’t have plans on when that will be.”
Some work yet to be finished for this phase of the project includes putting a few walls back into place in order to meet the requirements of the Historic Tax Credits. Linda Crookham-Hansen said that by November 1st the remaining construction crews should be done.
The ground floor has two ‘white boxed’ locations available for interested businesses to take advantage. The apartments feature wood floors and trimming saved during the renovation project.
The apartments will be based upon 80% median income and will be approximately $500 per month.
If your interested in learning more about leasing one of the locations in the new Trolley Place project, contact Patti Ryan at (641) 673-9414.
