Downtown Clarinda a Model of Local Buy-In

Clarinda is a small town of a little over 5,000 persons in southwest Iowa, just a relatively short jaunt from my hometown of Red Oak. Early in its history, Clarinda’s importance in the region was highlighted by the fact that it was served by rail lines coming in from seven different directions. As a regional transportation hub, the town drew the eye of the government during World War II. The US Government would construct an internment camp there in late 1943 for prisoners of war.

The number of rail lines varied over the years, but overall they gradually closed by the CB&Q (followed by the Burlington Northern) after the war. Unfortunately, the community is no longer served by any rail service. However, Clarinda still prides itself on its manufacturing base, highlighted by an industrial plant for NSK-AKS that produces ball bearings. The community is also home to Lisle Corporation, which makes specialty tools for auto mechanics.

The Need for Improvement

As with all downtowns, not just those in small communities, Clarinda’s downtown had seen better days. Individual efforts over time resulted in the continued financial viability of many of the buildings. However, the overall exterior look of a number of the buildings in the downtown core were degrading. Many of the buildings were in need of at least some tuckpointing of their brick facades. Some needed new windows to replace rotting sills and loose sashes. Peeling and fading paint affected the looks of a number of these once majestic buildings as well.

Community leaders knew that the downtown needed an influx of funding to jumpstart reinvestment in the building facades. The largest jolt of financial assistance was available through Iowa Economic Development Authority’s CDBG Downtown Revitalization grants.

In the spring of 2017 the City of Clarinda, with the assistance of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council, applied for one of these Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to aid in downtown revitalization activities. A grant of $500,000 was awarded to the community for façade improvements including, windows, doors, awnings, painting, signage, masonry repairs and tuck pointing. CDBGs have played important roles in downtown revitalization activities for a number of communities over the years.

Funding the Local Match

However, CDBG grants need a financial commitment from the community to garner an award. With the competitiveness of the grant application process each year, Clarinda would need to put in a substantial contribution. For a grant of this size a minimum of $250,000 in matching funds would need to be raised for consideration.

The City of Clarinda itself acknowledged the importance of the project and pledged $50,000 towards the match. The Clarinda Foundation then chimed in with their own contribution of $125,000. The Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce then went on to secure donations from the Clarinda Youth Foundation, Cornerstone Bank, Bank Iowa, PCSB Bank, and the Page County Board of Supervisors. There was even a $50,000 donation from an anonymous source. Rounding out the contributions, the individual property owners involved in the project also provided $250,000 (25%) of the cost of the improvements.

Clarinda Downtown Sidewalk

That’s a sizable amount of donations for a small town to compile for one project. For many communities finding matching funds is the toughest part and often an obstacle that cannot be overcome. Not for Clarinda. “Actually, it wasn’t very hard. It was a project people got behind.” said Pam Herzberg, Executive Director of the Clarinda Foundation.

Representatives for the project talked to the more obvious donors, the banks and philanthropic organizations. But they also gauged the interest of others, even those who used to live in the community, but have since moved elsewhere. Tugging at the heartstrings of those who love the community, even if they don’t live there anymore, can be very fruitful.

Rolling up their Sleeves to get it Done

Twelve businesses participated in the project, which involved installing 18 new facades along the square. The various improvements completed to the buildings on the square included:  new windows/doors, new awnings, painting, signage, masonry work and tuck-pointing.

One of the biggest roadblocks that hampered the project was what was found behind the old facades. Many times, instead of repairing problems, some previous building owners throw up a different façade over the original building front. It was often a cheaper solution that refreshed the look of the building at the time. However, the look of these facades haven’t aged well. Many of the current building owners understand the timelessness of the original architecture. Yet, fixing the coverups of the past or damage that has happened since the last facelift gets costly.

There’s No Stopping Now

Clarinda wrapped up their CDBG Downtown Revitalization project in the fall of 2019. But they haven’t sat back on their haunches, enjoying the fruits of their labor. Community representatives are continuing to strive for a better downtown. They’ve created a pocket park where one of the buildings on the square once stood (a possible future article).

Community leaders are also working on moving Clarinda City Hall to the square. The City will be taking up residence in former Bank Iowa building after the bank moves to their new offices just a block away. This is just another example of Bank Iowa’s efforts build new bank facilities in downtowns throughout Iowa that are true to the original character of the area, rather than a suburban-style one-story building.

New Bank Iowa building in Clarinda

The availability of CDBG funding was the main source of funding for Clarinda’s Downtown Revitalization project. But it was the local effort in acquiring the financial match that made this project successful. Clarinda’s project underlines the importance in starting and maintaining relationships with banks, philanthropic organizations, businesses and residents, even those who do no live in the community anymore. Those relationships cannot be started when grants have been awarded. Start on them now to make future dreams a reality.