City of Le Mars

With a goal of creating a Community Development Plan to guide the next 20+ years, the City of Le Mars and ISG began a relationship that continues to build through trust and successful project outcomes. Backed by community feedback and the latest data, ISG supplemented the Plan with specific funding options and preferred concepts for public and private investment in the community.

Since adoption in 2023, the City has partnered with ISG to make headway on several projects that fulfill the Plan’s goals, including improvements to school facilities, community recreation spaces, and an industrial park. ISG’s services provided:

• Multi-disciplinary planning, architecture, engineering, and funding expertise
• Focus on housing, economic development, quality of place, tourism, and downtown
• Support for Vision 2045 goals, including increasing retail sales, adding housing units, providing quality of life amenities, and ensuring infrastructure can support growth
• Strengthened long-term partnership to make a positive impact
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Project Highlights

O’Toole Park

To expand local outdoor recreation opportunities, ISG outlined a variety of programming concepts for O’Toole Park. Park needs were identified, and ISG sought public input to improve the site. Reflecting the community’s interest in a splash pad, the park design includes a playful water destination, a new and expanded shelter, inclusive playground, picnic seating, and accessible paths that preserve the existing tree canopy—all within walking distance from downtown. The site has been surveyed, and preliminary design has begun.

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Industrial Park Expansion

A key priority outlined in the Plan is the expansion of the City’s industrial park. The first phase recently broke ground and will add nearly 60 acres of industrial park for development. The expansion will create opportunities for future businesses and industry, positively impacting local economic development.

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Le Mars Community School District Facility Study

The Le Mars Community School District enlisted ISG to evaluate its facilities and help plan for future improvements. After considering the thorough evaluation, the District embarked on a new elementary school and improvements to accommodate population growth and provide adequate space and learning amenities for students. Improvements are set to progress through to a referendum.

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Quality of Place Improvements

In fall of 2024, the City launched a capital campaign to raise over $10 million for quality-of-life improvements. ISG prepared concept plans and visualizations to help facilitate the campaign and effectively depict and communicate the design intent for each improvement.

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Applied Technology

Le Mars Community Development Plan GIS Storymap

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Media

‘Vision 2045′ aims to double Le Mars, Iowa’s population, housing, and commercial sales by 2045 | KTIV.COM