The City of Nichols is embracing its new historic district.
Acting on a proposal by Mayor Linsey Reimers, the city of Nichols approved half the cost of purchasing a bronze plaque to be placed in the downtown area, signifying several buildings in the main business district area as the Ijem Avenue Historic District.
The news comes after Lynn Pruitt, a member of the Muscatine County Preservation Committee who lives in Nichols, made the presentation to the mayor, asking for the city to move forward in recognizing the historic district he fought to create, getting appointed to the National Register of Historic Places in September of last year.
The city is putting $300 toward the plaque and Pruitt says he hopes to get the remainder of the cost from the non-profit Friends of Historic Nichols organization.
After winning approval for the district from the Iowa Historical Preservation Society, the seven buildings recognized in the district could be eligible for state funding for restoration, although Pruitt pointed out earlier “those are usually matching funds.”
The seven main street buildings in the heart of Nichols includes the former Mills DX garage on the south side on the corner of Routes 22 and 72, that is more recently owned by former Nichols mayor Kyle Geertz.
A stretch of four buildings all the way down to the Nichols Post Office is included in the proposal, including the Style Shack next to the post office and an apartment building at 416 Ijem Street.
Across the street, there are three designated buildings including Burt’s Bar, the Chown Appliance and Furniture store and the Unique Creations building, although Pruitt says that building’s more modern siding could hamper it’s approval. He said buildings only have to be 50 years old to get the designation, but noted most of those buildings are over 100 years of age.
In other business, the city council began accepting plans for the American Rescue Plan Act program, the city eligible for an estimated $54,000.
City police Chief Jeff Jirek proposed purchasing a new and update GoPro car and body recording device for the city police department. He said the device would be compatible with what is being used by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office as well as the City of Muscatine. He estimated the cost at no more than $6,000, which was approved by the council.
At $23 per residence per month, the council also approved garbage rates.
The city also continues to look into creating an all-terrain vehicle ordinance. Chief Jirak said there needs to be basic safety rules for owners and drivers of such vehicles in the community while continuing to present the opportunity for residents to use such vehicles.
It was also reported by Fire Chief Kevin Flynn that two members of his department are attending emergency medical training classes to become certified EMT’s.
The council won’t meet again until Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m.