Amie Johansen (West Union Deputy City Clerk), Rod Marlatt (Fayette County Conservation Director), and Mallory Hanson (Fayette County Economic Development & Tourism Director) are pictured with Chris Kramer (Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director), Representative Brian Best, and members of the Iowa Great Places Citizens Advisory Board. Signs like the one in the photo will be going up in West Union.

West Union re-designated as an Iowa Great Place

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Community leaders from West Union, Iowa traveled to Perry recently to attend the 2019 Iowa Great Places Annual Meeting where it was announced that West Union received re-designation as an Iowa Great Place.

Amie Johansen (West Union Deputy City Clerk), Rod Marlatt (Fayette County Conservation Director), and Mallory Hanson (Fayette County Economic Development & Tourism Director) met with other Great Places leaders from across the state to discuss community development, public art and parks and trail-way art. 

“We feel fortunate. Not every community got redesignated. We’re excited,” Johansen said.

The Iowa Great Places program recognizes and partners with communities “who cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of their local places, such as neighborhoods, districts or regions, to make them great places to live and work.”

As part of the Iowa Great Places program, West Union will receive access to funding opportunities, professional development training, and technical assistance opportunities, a be included in a network of communities and leaders, and other state and local resources.

“Iowa is becoming a more culturally vibrant state with communities that have world-class arts, beautiful streetscapes and a blend of well-preserved historic properties and new buildings," said Chris Kramer, Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. "This program has been a big part of that success by investing in arts, media, culture and historic preservation as a way to boost quality of life, grow economic opportunities and make our communities more attractive to visitors and residents. We're proud to partner with our Iowa Great Places and congratulate them on their success."

West Union’s original Iowa Great Places designation was in 2008. Through partnerships and funding from multiple sources, including the Iowa Great Places program, the City was able to implement major projects including a new downtown streetscape to include porous pavement and pavers, rain gardens and bioswales, and other innovative facilities. The City has also worked with various partners to increase walkabilitiy and bikability throughout town and was able to upgrade the Courthouse Square Plaza. 

In 2019, the community came together once again to update their Great Places Vision Plan.