Humboldt Downtown project all but done

By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]

Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt Downtown Revitalization project is nearing completion following years of plan and construction.

Over the course of the past few years the City of Humboldt has seen their downtown area change. From new concrete sidewalks to the removal of canopies and now planters with fresh greenery the revitalization project is nearing its end date. City Administrator Travis Goedken talks about the project.

To him the moment the project really started to feel complete was the filling of the planters. “Biggest highlight, of course, is Wempen. They were able to get in last weekend and get the vast majority of the plants,” the city administrator says. There are still some plants yet to be put in because landscaping company hasn’t gotten them in yet. Goedken says “it’s amazing how one part of the project can really kind of tie everything together and really button it up.” He says the city has heard a lot of complements about the plants.

The city administrator reflects on the process and says that a large project like this is not without challenges and it’s impossible to please everyone on every part. “You might love certain aspects of a project and absolutely despise others.” He says he believes the product the received downtown is a good compromise. Goedken says as the council went through the planning and approval phases a few items did not receive unanimous support but did get majority support. However, once the whole project was brought forward to be approved the items were the general consensus of the council.

Now the project is not 100 percent complete just yet. Goedken says that there is still a few items that need to be completed in terms of construction. The bigger aspect that will have to wait until next spring is the addition of a few benches and trash cans.

Goedken believes that the project outcome is a good one. “I do think we ended up with a good product.” He says that other officials from other communities have driven through and voiced positive opinions about it. He also says the community is showing their appreciation of the newly complete project.

The Humboldt Downtown Revitalization project is nearly complete after years of planning and construction. City administration is glad to have put this project in the books and is satisfied with the product they have received.

Pictures from Downtown Humboldt: