Goal Four - Improve Indianola's image and sense of community by enhancing the appearance and function of the square and strengthening city beautification efforts

Objective: Identify opportunities for visual enhancements in Indianola.

Strategy One: Identify visual (positive & negative) elements that define Indianola 

Positive features most often mentioned:

Simpson College
Indianola city parks system
Nature trails
Athletic facilities
The best of our residential areas
The square
Churches
Widened streets & decorative lighting

Negative features most often mentioned:

Unattractive properties
Appearance of the town from highways
City/County jail
Mobile home parks
Unkempt, overgrown public areas
Narrow streets
Overhead wires

Strategy Two: Identify visual elements (positive & negative) that define the approaches to Indianola

Positive features most often mentioned

Open, uncluttered highway approaches to the city
Limited sprawl; open countryside
Town signage at entrances

Negative features most often mentioned

Several canyon-like features
Threat of strip businesses along highway to the North

Strategy Three: Develop strategies to overcome negative attributes and/or attitude.

Action Steps:

• Review existing ordinances and practices for improving the appearance of both public & private properties
• Widening of streets throughout the city
• Develop a program for beautification, plantings, lighting of streets and elimination of overhead wires along the streets
• Review & improve volunteer clean-up of neglected areas, including adopt-a-street program
• Seek funding to finance public visual improvements and to offer assistance to private enterprises for similar efforts

Strategy Four: Identify gateway areas & develop a theme for visual improvement

Action Steps:

• Review entrances to Indianola from each direction
• In cooperation with those who develop a theme for the renovation of the square, create for the 4 highway entrances an attractive, identifiable, consistent pattern with that theme
• Develop an inviting entryway into the square from Highway 65/69 (Jefferson Way), at Ashland & Salem Ave
• Develop the Sesquicentennial park at intersection of Jefferson Way & Salem
• Develop an inviting entryway into the square from Hwy 92 at Howard St. 

Strategy Five: Identify areas of funding for improvement projects

Action Steps:

• There are a series of state grants (lottery funds, departmental grants) available for community improvement projects
• Certified Local Government Grant
• Historic Resource Development Grants
• City Funding

Objective: Develop a plan to preserve and improve the Town Square

Strategy One: Perform a through analysis of the Square.

Positive features of the existing square

Safety
Small Town Atmosphere
At present, all of the buildings on the square are occupied
Creative, friendly, resilient proprietors & professionals;
Free parking 
Court House
Viable destination businesses

Negative features of the existing Square

Traffic flow/not pedestrian friendly
Jail with barbed wire
Poor landscaping & plantings
No public facilities
No architectural integrity
Store hours
Attitude of parking
Attitude of apathy
Uncertainty of funding

Strategy Two: Set goals for Square revitalization

Action Steps:

• Obtain funding from multiple state, local & private funding sources
• Develop the town square to become aesthetically pleasing and a consumer-friendly environment
  Increase the customer base of the town square
• Encourage all businesses on the town square to work together to benefit the community
• Develop the gateway approach to the town square 

Strategy Three: Perform a market analysis of the Square 

Action Steps:

• The principal aim of a marketing plan for the square should be to attract a greater proportion of unique retail establishments
• Review current customer bases of current businesses on square
• Develop ways reach new customers
• Look at trends in other like communities
• Develop strategy to create more retail business
• Review historical data about buildings
• Review possibility of creating office park suitable for relocation of professional businesses 
  Create a working aerial map of downtown (directory)
• Hire a consultant to help determine marketing strategies and retail draws

Strategy Four: Identify missing retail, residential & commercial opportunities

Action Steps:

• Review current needs in community
• Expand on current festivals & markets 
• Create more diversity in shopping (bakery, art shops, quality men's, women's & children's clothing)
• Find & locate niche businesses which show promise of success in this location

Strategy Five: Create a theme for the Square

As you stroll around Indianola's town square you journey back in time to a gentler era. Experience once again, the personal attention of friendly proprietors in our shops & eateries. The hometown heritage and relaxed pace will nourish your spirit. The town square is a cultural compass that will delight your senses and intellect. It's a place like you always wanted home to be. 

Strategy Six: Identify strategies for Square revitalization

Action Steps:

• The Fine Arts / Community Beautification Commission and Downtown Development Group are working together to pursue the 5 goals as stated above & work on market analysis
• Assistance has been secured from the Urban Design program at Iowa State University to develop a plan that is aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the Square theme. This will include a review of historical data about the buildings
• Conduct retail customer service seminars
• Identify and work closely with building owners & proprietors/occupants of enterprises in order to ensure maximum cooperation 

Strategy Seven: Implement a revitalization strategy

Action Steps:

• Create presentation of plan
• Create a positive public relations campaign that focuses on businesses and buildings on the square

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