A Comprehensive Smart Plan for the City of Guttenberg, Iowa Photo Courtesy of Irish Hound Studios, Guttenberg, IA Prepared by: Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101 December, 2013 Acknowledgements Mayor Steering Committee Russell Loven* Steve Bahls Bruce Bryant City Council Matt Esser Steve Friedlein Bill Frommelt Ralph Livingston Kim Gau Jane Parker Vern Heck Dave Schlueter Molly Moser Virginia Saeugling* Barb Pape Dan Pierce City Administration Beth Sadewasser Barry Dykhuizen* Fred Schaub Julie Zittergruen Janette Simon MJ Smith Zoning Commission Lori Wallace Steve Dikkers Jim Eglseder With special thanks to: Janette Hansel City Staff and Departments Don Herkes* Jeff Dolan, Irish Hound Studios Howard Hubbell Caroline Rosacker Dan Parker* Robin Esmann JJ Rochford Visioning and Think Tank Participants *Also served on Steering Committee Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) UERPC was created to promote regional cooperation and meet the planning and economic development needs of local governments in the five Northeast Iowa counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. Page 1 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 2 List of Charts ................................................................................................................................................. 6 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 7 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Adoption Resolution ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Public Participation ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Community Vision ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Community Overview ................................................................................................................................. 13 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Location ................................................................................................................................................... 13 History of Guttenberg ............................................................................................................................. 14 Demographics ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Community Culture ..................................................................................................................................... 21 Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Events and Activities ............................................................................................................................... 21 Recreation and Natural Resources ......................................................................................................... 22 Arts and Culture ...................................................................................................................................... 23 Historic Renovation ................................................................................................................................. 23 Churches and Social Clubs ...................................................................................................................... 29 Community Culture Strengths ................................................................................................................ 29 Community Culture Challenges .............................................................................................................. 29 Community Culture Goals and Strategies ............................................................................................... 29 Housing ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Existing Housing Characteristics ............................................................................................................. 31 Housing Projections ................................................................................................................................ 37 Housing Programs ................................................................................................................................... 40 Housing Strengths ................................................................................................................................... 41 Housing Challenges ................................................................................................................................. 41 Housing Goals and Strategies ................................................................................................................. 41 Economic Development .............................................................................................................................. 43 Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 43 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 43 Workforce ............................................................................................................................................... 43 City Financials.......................................................................................................................................... 49 Page 2 Economic Development Programs and Organizations ........................................................................... 52 Economic Development Strengths ......................................................................................................... 53 Economic Development Challenges ........................................................................................................ 54 Economic Development Goals and Strategies ........................................................................................ 54 Transportation ............................................................................................................................................ 56 Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 56 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 56 Roads and Bridges ................................................................................................................................... 56 Active Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 60 Public Transportation .............................................................................................................................. 61 Aviation ................................................................................................................................................... 61 Rail Transportation ................................................................................................................................. 61 Water Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 61 Transportation Strengths ........................................................................................................................ 62 Transportation Challenges ...................................................................................................................... 62 Transportation Goals and Strategies .....................................................................................................