News : Great Places Committee hears Vinton proposal; decision expected in October

A panel of local leaders and citizens answered questions on Vinton from the Great Places Committee.

The Palace Theatre welcomed nearly 100 people Tuesday afternoon for the Vinton Great Places presentation.

Approximately 15 people from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, including staff members and the volunteers from the Great Places committee joined more than 75 area residents and leaders for the event.

Lu Karr began the discussion by giving the visitors a brief summary of the history of the Palace, and its renovation.

The audience then watched a video created by Erin T. Horst featuring local residents and Mayor John Watson discussing what Vinton has to offer, and listing the goals of the city's Great Places application.

Expanding the activity center into a Vinton Event and Community Center, creating The Life's Journeys Celebration Art Park on land where houses were destroyed by the 2008 flood, and the Life's Journey River Walk are the three projects that a Great Places grant could help fund.

A panel of several citizens and leaders answered questions after the video.

Panelists included Jeff Peterson, Brandi Kelchen, Jon Clingman, Tom Lindauer, Mayor John Watson, City Coordinator Andy Lent, VU Director Nathan Hesson and Vinton Parks and Rec Director Duane Randall.

Randall told one of the committee members, in response to a question, that the city plans to go ahead with these projects, whether or not the city receives Great Places funding.

Anoterh committee member said seeing the presentation left him impressed.

"It moves Vinton up the list," he said.

A woman on the committee told the group that one of the goals of the Great Places program is to promote Iowa places to other places beyond the state's borders.

"We are looking for things that not only will make our cities better, but will make Iowa better," she said.

Mayor Watson told the visitors how Vinton recovered from the Flood of 2008, and is prepared to take the next steps.

"Vinton is ready to roll up its sleeves again," he said.

The Great Places Committee visited all six of the finalists for this year's Great Places program. It could choose to award funding to all six, or just a few of the cities. A decision is expected around Oct. 22.

Vinton was the last of the committee's visits. The members planned to drive to Iowa City for deliberations, and then to Des Moines.

As they left the Palace, the visitors were greeted with an endloader holding a sign with the message that "Vinton is 'Dozer Ready."

Peterson said the city's work is finished; the decision, he said is up to the Committee.