The Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance updated membership about the latest with the development group at their quarterly meeting Friday.

Executive Director Karen Eischen discussed what is happening with the organization, including details about the Marion County Child Care Needs Assessment in conjunction with the Marion County Development Commission, an upcoming landlord forum for property owners in the Central Business District on December 14th, and how PACE plans to incorporate concepts from the Future Ready Iowa initiative.

Pella City Administrator Mike Nardini shared details about the major projects recently accomplished in the city, including the Pella Sports Park and Water Treatment Plant updates, as well as the ongoing housing development efforts and the progress of the Webster Park, Bos Ridge, and Vintage Cooperative projects, all of which will have construction ongoing in 2019. Nardini also presented about a city telecommunications utility, which includes expanding fiber to every home and business in the Tulip City. A business plan will be considered by the Pella City Council by the end of this year.

Additionally, Nardini explained the purpose of the upcoming downtown streetscape project and the need to renovate the infrastructure underneath the streets, as well as the overall concepts: back to brick, new wayfinding plan, strategic placement of trees, enhanced sidewalks/crosswalks, and increased focal points, as well as information about restroom facilities.