Downtown revitalization is a Go.

First phase addresses the most critical concerns

The City Council of Webster City allocated $1,250,000 for downtown revitalization at its meeting Tuesday. The top priority will be given to removing barricades in front of four buildings with unstable, 100+ year old brick walls. Some barricades have been up for three years. The funds, officially an "internal advance," come from projected tax increment finance (TIF) receipts and will fund both demolition and repairs, in what's likely to be phase one of a larger effort.

Falling bricks aren't new. Over twenty years ago, First American Bank (today, Availa Bank) tore down several buildings it owned at Des Moines & Second, which were beyond saving. Dyvig’s Pet Shoppe, first owned by Dale Dyvig, then his son Jory, was torn down due to infrastructure failure due to water at the corner of Willson Avenue and Second St. Jory Dyvig eventually moved the business “Dyvig’s”to Ames.

In 2019, the city bought and demolished 605 Second St., once Fuh's pastry, which was also economically infeasible. In November 2023, a fire in the second floor of 608 Second, previously Bettis Appliances, threatened walls it had in common with both the Webster Theater and Gilbert Jewelers. Lift WC acquired it in April 2024, and stabilized it with a State of Iowa CAT grant. Several prospective buyers have looked at it, but it remains for sale today.

Getting rid of the barricades has taken time. The city recently completed negotiations with Lotus for purchase of the 707 Second St. building, and with Cindy Bettis, owner of 545 Second, once home to Kelly's Bar. City Attorney Zach Chizek told the council a closing date of October 16 has been set for 545 Second St.

Although not formally confirmed, it's believed the former Coulter's and Kelly's buildings are beyond saving, and will be demolished. An engineering report confirms 707 Second St., home to Lotus Treasures thrift shop, can be shored-up for future use, for an undisclosed cost. The city may apply for a catalyst grant, to help pay for the repairs. Someday, its second floor might house two rental apartments.

Chris McNeil's buildings, 518 and 520 Second Street, are also behind barricades. Engineering studies show the north wall, facing Second Street, remains unstable. McNeil disputes this, and is working to repair the brickwork and, hopefully satisfy the city his buildings are safe.

Council also awarded a $325,728.04 contract to Riley-Armstrong Plumbing & Heating, Ft. Dodge, to build a new, "loop" water main on the east side. Street Supervisor Brandon Bahrenfuss explained,

"You always want continuously-running water supply lines," explained Street Supervisor Brandon Bahrenfuss, "Dead-end lines can cause rust to accumulate in water. A loop allows us to take down one section of the line at a time for repairs, rather than shutting off water to all customers, as we do today."

Bahrenfuss added that the new loop will increase water pressure for both Mary Ann's and Custom Meats.

The project requires excavation beneath Canadian National Railway's Sioux City-Chicago main line. Such work can destabilize embankments and ballast under the track, and even cause derailments. Riley-Armstrong will hire a subcontractor, The Driller LLC, of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, to complete excavations beneath the railway. The firm has demonstrated proficiency in such work on other projects.

In other action, Council:

•authorized $2,200 for fiscal year 2027 support of the Heart of Iowa Regional Housing Fund. The fund provides home repair assistance to low-and-middle income homeowners in six north central Iowa counties. Since 2018, it has assisted 46 Hamilton County families with repairs to their homes.

•voted to close-out the fiscal year 2026 hot melt asphalt (HMA) project. This year's asphalt paving program was smaller in scope than those in recent years. Bahrenfuss noted an additional $47,549.20 was spent to repave Cedar Street between Willson Avenue and Superior Street, when it was found to have "substandard thickness asphalt." The additional volume of material will result in longer life on this stretch of Cedar Street.

•Approved Finance Director Dodie Wolfgram's plan to make 19 internal transfers within the city's budget to, effectively, set it up to do business in fiscal year 2027, which began July 1, 2026.