WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
It is beautiful to see Le Mars spreading out in many directions and the growth is evident. I often speak about the growth downtown and businesses starting or moving into new spaces, but there is also transfer of businesses to new owners in the community. There will be some stories coming soon about some of those. Progress continues downtown with four buildings that we are working on, including a brand-new concept to be announced soon. However, it is a beautiful time of year to see dirt moving equipment on the edges of Le Mars in several direction getting things ready to start with Spring here.
To the south at the intersection of 18th St SE and Central Ave the grading work has begun for more housing and a new consolidated grade school to replace our current 3 grade schools. Just to the East of that the construction of several new homes continues (pictures) and a vision for a 55 plus planned townhouse community in that area is under consideration. The Houses under construction in that area are selling as fast as they are built and that many times then opens up other houses for someone else. Some of those houses being built also are brand new people moving to Le Mars for the first time.
On the west side of Le Mars across from the Wells’ Corporate Center the dirt work has started for Crossroad Commons, a 35-acre development focused on the three big anchors – food, fuel and lodging, along with several development lots. This is an opportunity to take advantage of the high car count that drives around our community everyday and offer more options for our tourists.
If you went to the north on business 75, you would see the new Overlook development. At the end of WWII this area was developed by the Erdman family to provide work force housing that met a need for returning service men and woman. Back in 2023 the family saw the need for improvement and growth and approached our business initiative corporation and offered that area for development. Today the Overlook Apartments are complete, and construction is scheduled soon for the Townhouse’s. People are starting to move in, and they are ahead of schedule for their occupancy goals.
We are spreading out and very soon there will be work starting to the east also. I hear dirt moving equipment early this morning, as well as the humming of the largest freezer in the world. If you haven’t been to Le Mars lately, please come and have some Blue Bunny ice cream and take a look around. By the way, we also just found out that we are a finalist for the Best Small Town in America and the only one in Iowa that made it!
Keep your eyes on Le Mars!
