Preservation in Progress: Main Street Revitalizes Conrad, Iowa
Though I now live in Denver, Colorado, my home will always be Conrad, Iowa -- population 1,108 and Black Dirt Capital of the World. Conrad was actually how I first heard about the National Main Street Center, which is now a subsidiary of the National Trust. My town boasted one of Main Street Iowa’s original Rural Main Streets (populations less than 5,000) and I have fond memories of when my mom had a business in Conrad and was involved with Main Street.
Each time I go home, I notice small differences, but when I was home during Christmas this past year, major changes were underway. As Darla Ubben, the Conrad Chamber-Main Street Program Director, explains in this more in-depth Preservation Leadership Forum blog post, Conrad received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to carry out a facade improvement program on 22 storefronts and four rear facades.
I snapped some photos last winter while work was underway, and convinced my younger brother Clark to get some as well in early May when the work was nearly complete. I hope you enjoy seeing some of these great preservation-in-progress photos!
The Record building in Conrad, Iowa, seen before its renovation in winter 2013
One of my favorite renovations was The Record building. Work is still in-progress in winter 2013 (see the photo at the top of the story), but the transformation is already impressive (pictured below).
Another powerful renovation was the work done on Carol's Restaurant, Bakery & Inn. On the left is Carol’s in late winter 2013; on the right is spring 2014.
Though the First National Bank building hasn’t housed a bank for decades, it has remained in use. It's home to a beautiful brick arch and one of Conrad’s newest businesses, Hutch Screen Printing & Embroidery.
First National Bank building, November 2013
First National Bank building, May 2014
Conrad rarely has storefronts available (a common trait of Main Street communities), but the facade renovation program helped prepare an available storefront for a new business, Shear Bliss, which will open July 1.
One final facade transformation for you: In the top photo, you can see three storefronts, all with work in progress. The two photos on the bottom show the completed storefronts -- RJ’s Lounge, a future business office, and Ms. Harper’s Cottage Inn.
Several other Main Street Iowa communities have completed facade renovation programs using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding similar to Conrad's, including the 2014 Great American Main Street Award community of Woodbine. Learn more about Iowa's CDBG program here.
