City of Bridgewater Jackson Township Community Profile Bridgewater, Iowa with Iowa Comparison Inset Introduction

ridgewater is a small city located within History JacksonB Township, in Adair County, Iowa. Adair County is located in Southwest Iowa, roughly an Bridgewater was founded in 1885. The city of hour west of Iowa’s Capital City, Des Moines; Bridgewater is located near the Mormon Trail, the and an hour east of Omaha, Nebraska, the largest route that Brigham Young and his followers took city in the region. According to the 2010 census from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City. Also near there were 182 people that live in Bridgewa- Bridgewater is the site where the Mormon settlers ter, which was a slight increase from 2000. The first encountered American Indians on their trav- town has been experiencing downward trends els. Wagon ruts from the Mormon Trail are still in population and business over the last several visible in nearby Mormon Trail Lake Park. Beyond decades and this plan suggests some strate- this, little history is readily available about Bridge- gies which may work to reverse this. These are water. Most of the information about Bridgewa- meant to be taken as suggestions and ideas and ter’s history that we have gathered came from our not to be read as a blueprint for the future. interview with Bridgewater’s mayor. According to this interview, even though Bridgewater never Data for this project was collected through a exceeded a population of about 400 people, it variety of means, including but not limited to did have a lively downtown area with several the United States Census, County Business Pat- businesses in its heyday, before the construc- terns, Economic Census, and the Iowa Depart- tion of Interstate 80 in Northern Adair County. ment of Transportation. Information was also gathered through conversations with Bridgewater city officials and residents, as well as through observation and participation in the Bridgewater City Council. It should also be noted that any- thing that is in quotes was taken from interviews and meetings with Bridgewater residents and city officials. These are opinion based and have been left anonymous to protect the speaker. Demographic Profile

Population, Ancestry, and Land Housing and Economy

As of 2010, Bridgewater had a population of 182 Bridgewater currently has eighty-seven hous- people. It has historically been a very small city; at ing units; the average cost of rent in the city the 1910 census it had a population of only 365 is $308, and the average salary is $30,536. The people. After 1910, Bridgewater had a ninety year top three industries in which residents are em- period of decline, during which time the popula- ployed are construction, textile and mill production dropped to 178 people in 2000. From 2000 tion, and metal productions. The unemploy- to 2010, the city showed a 2.2 percent increase in ment rate for Bridgewater is 6.3 percent. its population, however, this increase was only by four people. The graph below shows the popula- The Bridgewater Café is located in the center of tion change from 1910 to 2010. The population the once-thriving downtown area. The downtown of Bridgewater is largely of German and Irish de- area of Bridgewater used to be the home of a scent. Only seventeen percent of the population general store, which closed due to financial rea- had children under age eighteen. Bridgewater’s sons and retirement of the owner. Also located total area is 0.29 square miles, all of which is land. in Bridgewater are the Trinity Christian Church, the United Methodist Church, and Union State Bank. Bridgewater is currently home to a US Post Office, which is slated to be closed, meaning that residents may have to pick up mail from the Adair County Seat, Greenfield, or the Greenfield Post Office may have to begin home delivery to the homes in Bridgewater, a service that is currently not available. Notable businesses in Bridgewater, in addition to the café, include Marlo’s Repair Services, Northern Lights Motor Coach, and Nichol’s Farm. Located nearby is the Mormon Trail Lake and Park, which offers fishing, swim- ming, picnicking and camping; visitors can also still see ruts left behind by wagon wheels during the Westward Movement. Located between Bridgewater and Adair is the Adair Wildlife Area, a 320-acre wildlife habitat, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which is open for deer, pheasant and turkey hunting seasonally.

“I guess that our biggest weakness is housing stock. We’ve taken down 3 or 4 houses lately and we need to take a couple more down. It’s just the upkeep is not what it should be. People either can’t or won’t maintain their house. If you want to bring in new people the housing has to be there.” Schools

Bridgewater does not currently have an at- tended school within city limits. The school building located in Bridgewater is being used as a community center, office space, and for stor- age. Bridgewater is part of the Nodaway Valley School District with neighboring cities of Fon- tanelle and Greenfield. The elementary school and high school are located in Greenfield, and the middle school is located in Fontanelle. Traffic

Bridgewater residents have an average commute of twenty-five minutes to work. The national average commute time is twenty-six minutes. Com- pared with other towns in Adair County, Bridge- water residents have a slightly longer commute; Greenfield has an average commute of fifteen minutes, Adair has an average commute of eighteen minutes, and Orient has an average commute of twenty-one minutes. No other information is available regarding traffic data for Bridgewater.

“Customer traffic is not very high. People have “Well we’ve got quite a few that work in Green- mobility now and they go other places and then the field or other towns around; Creston, Atlantic and small stores couldn’t compete with the prices these there’s some that go to Des Moines.” other stores have.” SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis location can be seen as a drawback to the community, it is located close to Iowa Highway 92, and it is not far from surrounding communities, The following section outlines the strengths, which can also be used to its advantage. The weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for availability of space, and the close proximity Bridgewater. The SWOT analysis consists of of Bridgewater to outdoor recreation were also ideas that were drawn from interviews, obser- identified as being positive aspects of the city that vations from visits, and our general planning could be played off of for planning purposes. process. The points made were also drawn from comparisons to other small towns through- out south-central Iowa counties. These are aspects of the current situation of Bridgewater.

Strengths Weaknesses

• Aging population • Small community • Declining population • Quiet • Located off of major highways • Low property taxes • Deteriorating housing stock • Newer infrastructure • Abandoned businesses in downtown area • Ample available business space • No formal zoning • Outdoor recreation opportunities Conversations with Bridgewater residents also • Located close to other communities helped to identify these weaknesses for the community. The major weaknesses for Bridgewater • Proximity to Iowa Highway 92 include a declining and aging population. Accord- ing to the 2010 census, the largest age cohorts • Located mid-way between major ur- for the city were all above age 55. This leaves ban centers of Des Moines and Omaha the city with an incredibly small young population to carry the city into the future. Bridgewa- Through conversations with Bridgewater resi- ter’s location slightly off of Iowa Highway 92 is dents, it can be determined that Bridgewater’s also a major disadvantage of the town compared small sized community, quiet atmosphere, and with other cities in Adair County and the re- low taxes can be used to its advantage. Its loca- gion; most other communities are located on a tion, between Des Moines and Omaha, was also major state, federal or Interstate highway route. identified by residents as being a strong selling Abandoned buildings and a deteriorating hous- point for Bridgewater as well as other commu- ing stock are other major problems for the city, nities in Adair County. Although Bridgewater’s as well as its lack of a formal zoning code. SWOT Analysis

Opportunities Threats • Ample land for development

• Newer infrastructure • Aging population

• Ample business space for purchase/rent • Small young population

• Possibility for wind energy production • Out-migration from Adair County

• Possibilities for additional recreational uses • Lack of initiative

There are many opportunities for Bridgewater, • No local police force based on the strengths and weaknesses identified above. The major opportunities all take the form • Water availability of possible future development; Bridgewater’s rural location makes it the perfect spot for new • Post office closing development, as there is plenty of open land to build on (see drive-in theater proposal below). Threats to Bridgewater’s future are similar in na- Bridgewater’s abandoned facilities also mean ture to the weaknesses identified above. The ma- there are opportunities for revitalization of exist- jor threats to the city include its aging population, ing structures and the possibility for redevelop- and the fact that there is a very small young popu- ment of these structures. Bridgewater’s location lation; the fact that Bridgewater has a very small in Central Iowa, with its relatively flat terrain and population to begin with, and that Adair County plenty of wind also makes it an ideal location for is experiencing an overall decline in its popula- the building of wind turbines to produce electri- tion are also threats; this means that it could be cal energy. The rural location of Bridgewater also difficult for Bridgewater to find motivated lead- makes it an ideal location for new recreational ers to carry it into the coming years. The fact that uses, such as a trail to connect it to Mormon Bridgewater does not have its own police depart- Trail Lake Park and neighboring communities. ment is also another problem for the city; this can make it hard to enforce regulations regarding dilapidated housing stock, among others. The post office being slated to close is another threat “One thing about development, if people wanted to looming over the horizon for Bridgewater resi- build here there’s space available. Our electricity, dents, and could present its own problems as well. water, sewer systems are very well put together. And with the electronic communication, small towns could be an attractive alternative. Plus for cultural things we’re an hour from Des Moines and an hour from Omaha. Just about half way in between.” Long Term Goals

These goals are recommendations for the future of Bridgewater. The time horizon is roughly ten years and on for accomplishment. It is also important to note that some of these goals are hypotheticals and do not have to be accom- plished, they are merely recommendations. • Another key goal for the city is Bridgewa- • Encouraging the development of a gas ter officials’ goal to revitalize the housing stock station and convenience store would, we believe, in the city. They have already identified target have a huge impact on the economy of Bridge- residences that they believe are dilapidated, in water and the community as a whole. It would need of repairs, and/or in need of debris re- encourage people to turn off of Highway 92 and moval. Bridgewater officials need to develop a drive into the community. This could be ex- set procedure for delivering notices regarding tremely useful, as Bridgewater is the closest com- repairs to homes. Possible solutions include: munity to the Mormon Trail Lake County Park. Currently, if people utilizing the park need a gas o Hand delivery by two officials station or store, they must travel further to either Fontanelle or Greenfield. This would also pro- o Using the Adair County Sher- vide a store for residents and travelers to be able iff ’s Department to deliver notices to pick up small things without having to leave town. It would also be a way to develop unused o Mailing them by USPS, and requesting or abandoned land. A gas station would also likely that the recipient sign to receive the notice bring more business to the Bridgewater Café.

• A drive-in movie theater would be a great “I guess that our biggest weakness is housing way to use undeveloped land in the Bridgewater stock. We’ve taken down 3 or 4 houses lately and area, as well as to promote outdoor recreation. we need to take a couple more down. It’s just the Since the only other drive-in theater we know of upkeep is not what it should be. People either can’t is currently located in Newton, on the other side or won’t maintain their house. If you want to bring of Des Moines, we feel that this would attract in new people the housing has to be there.” people to come into Bridgewater and do business. This could bring business as well to the Bridge- water Café as well as the proposed gas station.

“We really need something that people need or want to make them come to you.” Short Term Goals

The following goals are meant to be accom- o Residents could begin a petition to plished on a much shorter time scale. If agreed keep the post office open. This could be on to pursue these goals could be accom- sent to senators, congressmen, the gov- plished within, or under, five to ten years. ernor of Iowa, the postmaster general, and other key government officials • Grassroots efforts are recommended to work towards keeping the local Post Office in • Upon request of some city officials Bridgewater. Right now, all mail is delivered to Bridgewater’s walking path is in need of repair. the Bridgewater Post Office where residents This will require repaving the walking surface. pick up their mail. Closing the Bridgewater This could be done through collecting free will Post Office would likely require that Bridgewa- donations for the project and/or by applying ter residents’ mail have to go through a nearby for Iowa or federal grants which can be ap- post office. This could cause delays, confusion, plied to cover some of the costs of repair. and lack of organization for both residents and post masters. Also this would result in either adopting rural home delivery that would require every Bridgewater resident install a mail- box, which few of the homes currently have, or the installation of large, cluster mailboxes. o This could be started by speaking to other small towns that have undertaken similar grassroots efforts to keep their post offices open. Smart Planning Policy

The following goals are taken from SF 2389 Relating to Smart Planning located in Sec. 18B. These planning principles were meant for state government, local governments, and other public entities and apply to planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions.

• Bridgewater should emphasize protection, • Planning, zoning, development, and preservation, and restoration of the natural re- resource management should be undertaken sources, agricultural land, and cultural and his- to provide efficient, transparent, and consis- toric landscapes, and should increase the avail- tent outcomes. Everyone should share in the ability of open spaces and recreational facilities. responsibility to promote the equitable distri- bution of development benefits and costs. • Bridgewater should also promote developments, buildings, and infrastructure that • Planning, zoning, development, and re- utilize sustainable design and construction source management should be undertaken to standards and conserve natural resources by promote clean and renewable energy use and reducing waste and pollution through efficient increased energy efficiency. This will apply to use of land, energy, water, air, and materials. the areas surrounding Bridgewater. Currently there are windmills located to the southwest of town and Bridgewater should continue efforts to attract more windmills to the area as well as encourage any other developments or use of renewable and clean energy sources.

• Along with the revitalization of housing, Bridgewater should facilitate the revitalization of established town centers and neighborhoods by promoting development that conserves land, protects historic resources, promotes pedes- trian accessibility, and integrates different uses of property. Remediation and reuse of existing sites, structure, and infrastructure is preferred over new construction in undeveloped areas.

• Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote activities and development that are consistent with the character and architectural style of the community and should respond to local values regarding the physical character of the community. Conclusion

“Population is less now than it was in pioneer times.”

This report has identified many strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth, and threats to the future development of the City of Bridge- water. Although Bridgewater is quite a small city, there remains much potential for the city in the future. Bridgewater’s location is one of its key strengths, and should be used in terms of the city’s development. The city’s ample space and location near recreational opportunities also give it great potential. City officials will need to proceed with caution, though, and be sure that they identify committed leaders who will remain involved long enough to see projects through to completion. If Bridgewater officials can identify appropriate goals that have been suggested here, as well as goals of their own, this has the potential to carry Bridgewater into the future. “You know, if something works for Fontanelle or Greenfield or Orient it could help us. We’re all in this together.”