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Downtown Boom Main Street reports volunteer hours, private investment and upcoming beautification grants
Summary
Main Street program reported volunteer contributions, more than $60,000 in private investment in a livery building and plans to award four $1,000 beautification grants in August.
Polly Stecker, speaking for Downtown Boom Main Street, updated the council on second‑quarter activity and upcoming events, highlighting volunteer hours, private investment and small beautification grants.
Stecker said the group completed public improvements including a tree grate project (installed in May) and coordinated with Boone High School students and city staff on that work. Donated flower beds at Eighth and Story came from Salama's Greenhouse and are valued at about $1,200 in materials; volunteers contributed roughly 40 hours of time for that effort.
Private investment included more than $60,000 in capital improvements at a livery building and new or expanding businesses downtown. Stecker said the organization logged more than 300 volunteer hours in the second quarter and hosted a Main Street Iowa visit to review first‑year benchmarks; Main Street America will be invited next year for a follow‑up.
Stecker said the downtown program will award four beautification grants of $1,000 each in August using leftover funds from the original grant application process (a Beckwith Foundation grant provided the funds). Upcoming downtown events Stecker highlighted include a "Crazy Day" sidewalk‑sale event with raffles and a birthday bash on Aug. 21 with street closures, food specials and live music.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the number and purpose of the beautification grants, and Stecker confirmed there will be four $1,000 awards with a short application describing how exterior improvements would apply Main Street principles.
