Work has been done in Newton this week to finish a major feature of the final Legacy Plaza Greenspace design. Des Moines Area Community College has been leading the transformation of the former Maytag Plant One site into a large park-like area. The past few days, workers have been putting up the arches for the sculpture that will be a highly visible feature of the greenspace. Executive Director of DMACC Business Resources Kim Didier says the $600,000 circle-like sculpture was donated by the Vernon Family, and is part of phase one of the $3 million Legacy Plaza project, which began in March 2023. Phase one included planting 38 trees and the installation of paved walkways, lighting, and the electrical access used by vendors at the Farmer’s Market. Those improvements, according to Didier, amount to about two million dollars. Phase two includes the addition of shade structures and a large pavilion. DMACC has been awarded a $580,000 Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism Grant to help fund phase two. As part of that grant, the City of Newton has agreed to provide $50,000 towards the project and the county has agreed to provide $5,000. 

The Legacy Plaza Greenspace has already hosted farmer’s markets. In the future, it’s expected to be the site of concerts, festivals, and an ice skating rink in the winter.