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NORWALK CITY COUNCIL APPROVES AGREEMENTS THAT SPUR $50M NORWALK CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT
Norwalk, IA (Mar. 4, 2022) – On Thursday, March 3rd, the Norwalk City Council approved two development agreements for commercial projects to begin within the new Norwalk Central development.
The City of Norwalk approved a development agreement with SportsPlex USA, and Heartland Sports Properties to construct a 20+ acre private sports and recreation campus. The Central Iowa Sports Campus (CISC) will host 15+ acres of turf multi-sport athletic fields with adjoining parking, pedestrian walkways, and a standalone concessions and restroom facility. It will also contain a 35,000 square foot indoor retail center, with multiple tenant spaces for businesses such as sports, fitness, nutrition, athletics, recreation, entertainment, and eateries.
The City Council also approved two land purchase agreements with Diligent Development for a total of 8 acres. Diligent Development owns Hughes Century Crossing, a retail and residential development within Norwalk Central. This agreement will allow the City to construct the long-awaited 45,000 square foot public recreation facility. C.O.R.E, Center of Recreation Excellence, will consist of Park and Recreation Department offices, commons area to host programming, a concession stand, multi-use court space with rubberized gym floor, four basketball courts, four volleyball courts, 6 pickleball courts, indoor track and rental space for public practice, tournaments, and other programs/events. There will also be public parking, and a new regional stormwater detention facility that will serve multiple commercial properties in the area.
In addition, the City entered into another agreement with Diligent Development that allows the City of Norwalk to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the purpose of funding new public infrastructure within the proposed project areas. Diligent Development serves as the land developer for this area. Diligent will construct the infrastructure that will serve and provide access to the City’s future public recreation facility, public park, trail, retail parcels and the private sports campus. The proposed cost of infrastructure is $9.5 million with a max of $12 million.
“Norwalk Central is a critical step helping to meet needs for our citizens and also spur commercial development in the heart of our community,” Luke Nelson, Norwalk City Manager.
All four agreements allow the City and the developers to move forward with the much anticipated Norwalk Central Development. The project will bring an estimated 1,000,000 new visitors to the area each year for large tournaments and events.
“The Norwalk Central project is an exciting addition to the Metro area and will provide significant increases in available commercial, recreation, sports and additional retail opportunities,” Hollie Zajicek, Economic Development Director.
The City has launched a new website for Norwalk Central. It contains plans, renderings, project updates and available properties. Visit norwalkcentral.com to stay up to date on the development. For more information, contact Economic Development Director Hollie Zajicek at [email protected] or 515.314.5862.