The Audubon City Council has designated the building that features the John James Audubon clock as a historical site. The structure sits north of the intersection of Washington and Broadway Streets near downtown. With the months-long process of designating the building now finished, the city benefits in several ways according to Clerk, Joe Foran. It preserves one of the first permanent structures built in Audubon and opens up additional tax credits and grants for the housing project. Foran explains.
Audubon was one of two cities selected in 2019 by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to receive $425,000 as part of a new initiative to convert underutilized properties in rural communities into quality housing units. The structure at 302 Broadway St. was built in 1879 by and requires extensive renovations before accepting tenants. The property is owned by Matt Campbell, who currently lives in Houston, Texas but is originally from Manning. Campbell is investing $125,000 into the project on top of the IEDA grant and fiscal support from Audubon County Economic Development (ACED). Originally slated for completion in 2020, the project has been delayed by COVID-19, contractor issues and cost overruns, but Foran is hopeful the historical designation will help it get back on track.
According to Campbell, the project is now out to bid for the third time, and he expects to have a bid awarded by the end of the month. Once a contractor is lined up, construction will begin quickly with an anticipated completion date in May of 2022. Campbell also owns the property across the street at 226 Broadway, and he has tentative plans to pursue a similar housing project there after the current one is completed.
