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Council discusses replacement options for downtown square walls; CIP funds available
Summary
Council reviewed three options for replacing aging concrete walls and landscaping around the downtown square — in-kind concrete replacement, continuous seating walls, or wrought-iron fencing — and directed staff to return with designs and cost comparisons.
City staff presented three preliminary options for addressing deteriorating concrete walls and plantings around Oskaloosa’s downtown square: replace the walls in-kind, replace the shrubs with a continuous concrete seating wall, or install wrought-iron fencing with planting behind it. Staff said the original wall manufacturer is no longer in business and many wall caps and sections show cracking and failure.
Sean (city manager) and project staff said the capital improvements plan currently includes approximately $100,000 toward the project and noted a separate $50,000 allocation for street lights that may need to be advanced because some lights on the square are affected by the wall work. Council members discussed safety (a wrought-iron fence likely should be at least 4 feet tall and without sharp points), historic appearance, seating use of the wall, maintenance implications for shrubs, and the potential to seek donations or other funding to supplement CIP money.
Council expressed a preference to keep the concrete seating feature in place where it currently exists while exploring replacing shrubs with either a matching seating wall or a decorative fence. Staff was directed to gather additional design examples, cost comparisons and funding scenarios and return to council for further direction.
One council member asked whether the perimeter could incorporate bollards or other vehicle‑attack mitigation; staff noted the existing wall provides some protection but that additional measures could be considered in design.
The discussion concluded with a direction to return with renderings, cost estimates and options for funding sources, including potential donations and the older downtown improvement fund noted by staff.
