Appendix A: Visioning Sessions Summary



Appendix A: Visioning Sessions SummaryManchester Visioning Sessions – Thursday, May 2, 5:30p / Friday, May 3, 7:30a(Note: BOLD indicates it was mentioned in both visioning sessions)Favorite Thing About ManchesterFranklin Street Brewing CompanyWhitewater ParkSchool system – known statewide for its extra-curricular offeringsHealthcare system – facilities - specialtiesGood parks and recreation – keep them in good shape – youth programsVibrant downtown – storefronts are fullSafeThe peopleMovie theaterBackbone State ParkGreat volunteer fire departmentLocation/access/proximity to other cities and recreationStrong youth programs – sports, 4H, extension, show choirsCounty fairLeaf pickupCommunity gardensPresence of Upper Iowa University, Northeast Iowa Community College, Iowa State U.Little league/ballfieldsKMCH radio stationGood Neighbor Home complexLots of industryAquatic centerSmall business dynamism and supportVaried church communityWe’re the county seatRiver – water trailsSupportive, collaborative community overallDowntown theater“Boomerangs” are coming backCooperative governments – city and county4HWhat’s Unique About Manchester40 minutes from three metro areasA lot of churches (at least 11)Pumpkin farm – also growing hopsCounty seatMaquoketa River – river trailLocated near Iowa’s first state park (Backbone)Trout hatcheryHospital delivers babies and has numerous specialties – also has DaVinci machineLongest serving mayor in the worldVolunteership is strong and attracts a wide range of peopleGood broadband internet and fiberGood Neighbor SocietyWhitewater ParkHospital systemCommunity theater that’s volunteer supported99.9% downtown fill rateGreat industry – Excide, etc. – for a town of this sizeHansen Auditorium at the high school – state of the artGreat fire departmentPublic and private school optionsNICC/schools apprenticeship program in welding – very unique in IA – automotive and construction are being plannedNICC campusEMS, paramedic response rates are greatGood stock of old housesWinter maintenance of streetsAthletic programsLeaf pickup program and composting operationsDaycare availabilityCommunity and leadership cohesionCourthouseWhat’s Missing / What are our Challenges?We need more peopleConnecting our bike/pedestrian trailsAn indoor poolA dog parkFlood protectionPollinator plantingsFine arts could be betterHousing availability to buy/rentStable fine dining establishment (can’t keep one going)Daycare options, especially for second and third shiftsYouth activity facility and associated programmingMental health resourcesTeam-building sitesGeneral place to have meetings and eventsCoworking spaceTech jobsMakerspaceBakeryHistorical society/museumTaco John’s/Panchero’sWineryRailroad stationUBER/taxis/etc.Bus stop/transit – maybe golf cartsAll inclusive place (facility) for all ages – a destination, i.e., like a trampoline park – the bike trail is hard for familiesWinter activitiesCampingNeed to market how great we are and what we have to offerOverall connectivity and ADA compliancePopulation diversityUpkeep and sustaining the unique/strong assets we haveA new jailVacancies outside of downtown, i.e., the east endBecoming a year-round destination for families and people of all agesAwareness of our assetsAdditional development around Highway 13/20 interchangeMore signage from highway – telling our story – “you don’t know Manchester is here”Housing along highwayMore basketball courts, gyms, wellness recreationAssistance to promote tree plantingsA good bike shopAdvanced career opportunities (“laddering” to higher wage/skill jobs)Technology business incubationNew public works facilityIsn’t an overall “look” for Manchester – a “consistent” look that flowsNightlife and RetailThings We HaveThings We WantMovie theaterRecreation centerBowlingTennis courts/parksFarmer’s marketWhitewater Park – spectating, people watchingCounty fairDowntown events (managed by Chamber)Motorcycle eventCoffee shop with wi-fiBarsGolf coursesPickleballCommercial incentive program to help businesses renovateGood concerts along the riverMore event programmingCommunity theaterCountry western dance barMore live music venues (in addition to brewery and American Legion)Mini-NewBo (in CR) type city market – events, gathering place crafts, etc.Italian restaurant, Thai, IndianZombie BurgerWine barNatural foods restaurant, store – farm to tableSit-down, dress-up restaurantFood stands around the Whitewater ParkFood trucks on a regular basis, in a designated spaceIce cream shop open later and on the weekendsMonday nights and after 10pm difficult to get foodNeed a computer store or technicianQuilt shop will close if a buyer isn’t foundLumberyard and implement dealerBike / outdoors / sporting goods shopRoller stating – mini-golf – more kid-friendlySports barMen’s clothing storeKids’ boutiqueConcert amphitheaterIndoor athletic complex – multi-sportTransportation (i.e., UBER, Lyft) for nightlifeShuttle for downtownTop GolfTrampoline parkMini-golfField of Dreams-esque draw – iconicPaintball – public rental courseLaser tagWinter activities for youth and familiesPlaces for kids to hang other than the DQArcade / pool / billiardsIndoor shooting range – can maybe partner w/ police department – use if for trainingArts and CultureThings We HaveThings We WantStreet treesSculpturesWine and painting classSchool houses community artPark bandshellGreat school auditorium – brings in musicNice libraries – good for kids, especially in winter – they bring in artisansThere’s a local wooden toy carver (at April’s Café)Community and youth bandsArts campDance class for kidsBrewery and small arts eventsExtension / 4HPublic artNo good arts and crafts fair – live arts-making and classes – a makerspace – the arts experience“Taste of Chicago” – ethnic foodsChalk festival with foodCeramics “make and take storeWe have good woodworkers but no display spaceIce skating rinkMaybe have concerts at new Whitewater Park facilityA lot of artists but few places to buy artUtilize bandshell moreAdult dance classesUptown Friday Nights – had First Fridays, but they tapered offCommunity arts center – demonstrations, classes, music mixing, etc. – could enhance our artist capacityArts and crafts fairMakerspace – 3D printing – coding – autocadScience and chemistry lab – coworking – potential partnership w/ schoolsCoworking space – leveraging broadbandMore public art – help tell our storyTransportation and RecreationThings We HaveThings We WantGolf coursesTrout fishing (in Delaware County)Bike trailsTriathlonCardboard boat regatta24-hour fitness centers, rec center, wellness activities at hospital, yoga studio, dance classesVery bikeable and walkableRural transportation authority (RTA)ParksOutdoor poolWaterski shows and classesTirrill ParkBass fishing programBall fieldsRiver Trail designationMotorcycle trialsCar showAgri-tourismSledding hillExpanded opportunities at the rec centerAn indoor batting cageWould like to see flower gardens developed moreBike shop / clubIndoor swimming poolBetter awareness of RTAPaved trails for mountain bikes and hikingContinue to improve our airport – extend runway to 4,000 feetAwareness of park assetsCampgrounds closer to downtown – more capacityIncreased budget for parks departmentIndoor running trackLake is underutilized (it’s part of DNR)More youth fishing opportunities – and better awareness of existing programsAdditional ball diamondsConnection and marketing of assetsTrail to the fish hatcheryPromoting Manchester as a base for county trout fishing tripsIndoor rock climbingHousingThings We HaveThings We Want/Issues/ChallengesA few second-story downtown residences have been developedOld homesCity incentives – abatements, rebates, cost-sharingNeighborliness – atmosphere – sense of communityRelatively low taxesNeed a homeless shelterHard time finding a home – prices per square foot are high for homes with desired amenitiesStock / options are not very good – few new homes have been built – any new product is purchased before even goes on the marketGood rentals – especially market-rate w/ amenities for professionals, new arrivals – good ones get filled immediately – need market-rate, modern, and senior options – also need units closer to industryPoor quality homes with cars on lawns – regulations? – there are good and bad landlordsRetirement housing – downsizing options for active adultsIf want a new house, have to build it yourselfProperty taxes have risen because of higher sales prices and higher home assessmentsNot a lot of higher-end optionsFew options in “the middle” between entry-level and higher priced – if so, they need renovationsSome middle-management jobs couldn’t be filled because of a lack of housing optionsHalf of Manchester is in FEMA flood plainSome companies use homes for employees rotating in/out of the communityShort-term / part-time rental availability is lowUnder $100k are gut jobs – under $150k are renovations – nothing in the “happy medium”New homes are pricey – old homes have a lot of upkeepDowntown housing – would buy if available – some upper stories not being utilized – would it raise parking issues?Lowest supply of quality starter homes in yearsGap between expectations and affordability – i.e., between what’s available and demandedHouses are being built outside the city – nowhere to build in the city – lot sizes are small – bigger lot sizes are more expensive – high cost to put in a development – we’re land-locked – it’s a challenge to find lotsFew local developersTemporary and hospitality stock – demand for higher quality – Boulders Hotel is goodLittle stock for seniors and adults with limited mobilityDownsizing options? – Good Neighbor Society homes are good, but pipeline is slow – presold before they come onto market – their condos have been well-receivedAll-inclusive housing for all life stagesThere are a few dilapidated units, but not concentrated – a few long-term vacant and abandoned – maybe opportunities for flips? – city has been aggressive tearing down blighted homesWe need more housing incentivesOpportunities to expand the city limits – annex – a lot of land is undevelopable because of river and expansion of the flood plain – annexation would be met with resistance – could maybe go to undeveloped areasNeed to protect the value of homes and property in the flood plainEducation and WorkforceThings We HaveThings We WantNICC has nursing program with UIUTwo major universities within a 2 hour driveGood two-year degree optionsGreat school to work programDelaware County Economic Development partnership with NICC/UIU Manchester CenterISU Extension programNICC classes“Start and grow” classes through Dubuque SBDCTech-equipped meeting room spaceCulinary classes – and a commercial kitchen space for training“Maker” opportunitiesSoftware engineering training, especially for manufacturers ................
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