The southwest Iowa towns of Underwood and Treynor plan to improve their looks.
They are the latest to take part in workshops held by the Iowa Architectural Foundation's Community Design Program.
Both communities plan streetscape projects on the highway that runs through town — Iowa 191 for Underwood and Iowa 92 for Treynor — in addition to other beautification and tourism efforts.
"We'd like to slow down traffic if we can and have them look around," Treynor Mayor Bryce Poland said. "We want to put Treynor on the map. We want people to drive through and see a small Iowa town that's proud of its community and heritage."
Throughout February and March, teams of professional architects, designers and Iowa State University students will visit the towns to develop conceptual ideas for improvement, said Kristin McHugh-Johnston of the architectural foundation.
"It's important for the community to brainstorm along with our team, tell them where they'd like to see their community head in the coming years," she said.
Plans in Underwood call for improvements to Iowa 191, along with Third Street, the town's main street.
"They'd like to make it feel more like a main street than it is now," McHugh-Johnston said.
Luring more traffic off Interstate 80 is a priority for Underwood.
Mayor Dennis Bardsley said the workshop would provide a chance for local leaders to hear from the community about the future of Underwood.
In Treynor, one challenge is to create a "town center" or downtown feel, said McHugh-Johnston, along with an overall improvement of the Highway 92 stretch through town.
The Iowa West Foundation and Western Iowa Development Association worked with both towns on the design program, providing financial and other assistance.
The architectural foundation has conducted similar workshops in Neola, Carter Lake, Walnut, Avoca, Oakland, Minden and Council Bluffs. For more information, go to www.iowaarchfoundation.org.
More public comment will be taken in meetings at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Community Center in Treynor and 6:30 p.m. March 1 at UMBA Hall in Underwood.
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