Five Iowa Great Places have been awarded $1.3 million in grants for projects in their communities, including Madison County’s fire-damaged Cedar Covered Bridge. The iconic landmark has been featured in literature, film and theater (“The Bridges of Madison County”) and is one of six covered bridges near Winterset that are the centerpiece of the area’s tourism industry.

Other Iowa Great Places grants announced today (Tuesday) will support (by organization, project and award):

• Pott. County Arts, Culture and Entertainment – Renovation of the historic Harvester II building in Council Bluffs – A$400,000 award toward the overall estimated project cost of more than $22.5-million.
• City of Manning – Phase II development of Trestle Park in Manning – A $31,380 award toward the $62,760 project cost
• Madison County Chamber of Commerce -Rebuilding of the Cedar Bridge in Madison County – A $275,770 award toward the more than $597,000 project cost.

Additional details:

Pottawattamie Art, Culture & Entertainment seeks to renovate the historic Harvester II building in Council Bluffs into a 50,400-square-foot arts and culture center offering art programs for all ages but especially low-income youth. Renovation includes the addition of a 245-seat theater that will be shared by American Midwest Ballet, the Chanticleer Theater, the Kitchen Council, community partners and arts education programs. The facility will serve as a home for its umbrella arts and culture organization, which works to streamline fundraising, marketing, archiving, volunteer services and more for partnering arts organizations in Pottawattamie County.

In 2014, Manning created a Trestle Park Plan as part of its successful Great Places application in 2015. The new park revolves around a 102-year-old historic railroad trestle that is a local icon and is quickly becoming a state icon. Crews have already completed most of Phase I, which included removing the former feed mill on the property, building a shelter house and installing a train-themed informational kiosk, trail, road, parking, lighting, and a large “IOWA” sculpture that has quickly become a favorite place for photographs. The natural play area is just starting to be developed. Project leaders are working with Iowa State University on concepts for public art, providing specific instructions to students to design art pieces that were interactive or served an additional purpose. The goal of Phase II is to further develop the park into a unique experience for both locals and visitors by using nontraditional items.

On April 15, 2017, one of Madison County’s world-famous covered bridges was destroyed by arson. The Cedar Covered Bridge was a significant tourism asset, serving as the bridge on the cover of Robert Waller’s novel, “The Bridges of Madison County,” as well as the site for Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Madison County in 1993, plus countless weddings, photography sessions and community celebrations. Additionally, Cedar Bridge is a featured attraction along the newly designated Covered Bridges Byway, which is part of the Iowa Scenic Byways program administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Madison County’s covered bridges hold considerable local significance and attract national and worldwide attention.

Other projects awarded funds include: Construction of a trail bridge in the Turkey River Recreational Corridor near Elgin, and Redevelopment of the Wapsipinicon River Scenic Overlook in Linn County.

The Iowa Great Places program recognizes and partners with Iowans who cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of their local places, such as neighborhoods, districts or regions, to make them great places to live and work. Iowa’s Great Places receive access to funding opportunities, professional development training, technical assistance opportunities, a network of vibrant communities and passionate leaders, and other state and local resources. This year, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs received applications from 14 Iowa Great Places projects seeking more than $3 million. Funding for the Iowa Great Places program is provided by an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.