3 years later, Marshalltown experiencing 'new normal' | News, Sports, Jobs - Marshalltown Times Republican

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Monday marks the three year anniversary of the devastating EF-3 tornado that ripped through downtown Marshalltown, leaving smashed cars, collapsed buildings, missing roofs and serious damage to the historic Marshall County Courthouse in its wake.

Marshalltown Housing and Community Development Director Michelle Spohnheimer said the area impacted the most by the tornado that occurred July 19, 2018, was the northern portion of Marshalltown.

“All those areas saw significant damage. The downtown area is one of the most visible areas and one that has a rippling effect since buildings physically are connected a lot of the time,” Spohnheimer said. “As one building comes down, there are significant impacts to adjoining properties.”

Spohnheimer said some changes have been put into effect to lessen weather-related damage. She said it’s not possible to completely prevent damage caused by tornados.

“The city has had various building codes in effect for many years and today’s construction requirements are much more stringent than those of 50 plus years ago,” Spohnheimer said, “However, in extreme events like that you will almost always see some level of destruction because you do have older buildings and even the newest projects can be at risk when a tornado hits. We have seen more owners installing generators and shelter spaces.”

She said housing was significantly impacted by the tornado and several agencies have worked to assist families in need.

“Most of the owners that were adequately insured have made the repairs needed or in some cases demolished structures and rebuilt. The city is still addressing abandoned properties,” Spohnheimer said, “Agencies such as Habitat for Humanity of Iowa, Mid-Iowa Community Action and Region 6 Resource Partners have continued to assist families in need who may not have had resources available to make repairs. We are also seeing new construction throughout the community to replenish the destroyed housing stock.”

City Administrator Jessica Kinser agreed housing was impacted in a huge way. Many people lost their homes, senior residences were damaged badly and were vacant for two years. She said some housing has recovered with repairs made to keep people in their homes.

Kinser said the one area in housing she sees is still an issue is single-family.

“Yeah, so there’s a lot happening on the housing front. Where we see that we really do have a deficit is with single family housing. Multifamily housing really started to correct itself after the tornado. There was a tax credit project that was funded on State Street, which is under construction, and there is a lot more interest in building multifamily units,” Kinser said, “Where there is still a problem is single family homes, which we need, to keep our community vital for families to live in.”

The city partnered with the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, to create a housing strategy. Kinser said the approved $10,000 incentive for new homes came about allowing a third partnership for infrastructure to provide for multifamily or single-family housing.

Three years later, the city is still working to restore Marshalltown.

“As a community, we are making significant progress in the recovery and rebuilding phase. Building activity has been at an all-time high for our community as property owners rebuild and as others capitalize on new opportunities to either expand or build new,” Spohnheimer said. “There is still a lot of work yet to be completed. The city is actively working on the acquisition and demolition of properties, which have been abandoned, have become a nuisance, or become a dangerous building.”

Kinser said the response to the disaster caused by the tornado was one of Marshalltown’s greatest achievements.

“I really think that the long-term family recovery committee was one of those things that was born out of just responding to the fact that there was a disaster. There were multiple things that needed to be done in terms of response, and how do you provide assistance to so many families who need it, but in a fair, coordinated way,” she said, “I think that really brought together people who had not been around the table together in a long time. It really forged some of those relationships.”

Mayor Joel Greer said the tornado caused millions in damages and could take decades to restore back to normal.

Spohnheimer believes after everything Marshalltown has been through, the town can recover.

“I believe that Marshalltown is experiencing a ‘new normal’ especially after the tornado, COVID-19, and the derecho. There are losses that will never be restored but there are opportunities for new growth that would not have been possible if not for the disasters,” Spohnheimer said.

Contact Marquetta Evans at 641-753-6611 or mevans@timesrepublican.com.

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