Fairfield’s top accomplishments from 2021

FAIRFIELD – Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer said the city and its residents have much to be proud of as they look back on all their accomplishments from 2021.

Boyer published a list of the “Top 10 Achievements for the City of Fairfield” on the city’s Facebook page. It’s an impressive list that covers accomplishments not just by the City of Fairfield but also projects completed through volunteers and donations.

Parks improvements

The top slot on Boyer’s list was devoted to all the parks improvements during the last year (and a little more). This included a new playground at Howard Park, a project driven by Laurie Stokes-Woods and Emily Martin; new LISCO pickleball courts at Heritage Park made possible by a donation from LISCO; the completion of Petra Park a block north of Central Park, which Alex Stanley donated to the city; picnic tables in Central Park, a city project installed with the help of volunteers; the Lamson Woods preservation plan courtesy of the city’s arbor committee; and the opening of Nady Prairie Park on the north side of town, consisting of 48 acres of prairie donated by Robert M. Nady.

Boyer said she was proud to see the city and its residents work hand-in-hand on many of these projects.

“We have to attribute these successes to really good city staff, and lot of credit goes to our citizens,” she said. “The Parks Department helped facilitate these projects, and the citizens rose to make them happen.”

Volunteer center

Boyer spearheaded the re-creation of the Fairfield Volunteer Center, which had not been active for several years. The volunteer center is back and is operating at the Fairfield Public Library from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those who wish to volunteer can meet with a member of the volunteer center during this time to get ideas of how to serve in Fairfield, through organizations and projects.

Street improvements

Fairfield completed several big street projects in 2021, such as overlaying 4th Street and 32nd Street, and reconstructing 23rd Street and the alley by the post office. Boyer said she’s received a number of compliments about the new streets.

“A lot of people have stopped me on the street to say how nice they are,” she said. “It nice to see people have been so appreciative.”

Townhall meetings

One of Boyer’s promises coming into her term as mayor, which began in 2020, was holding townhall meetings. This past year, the city held two of them, one with Fairfield Police Chief David Thomas and another with Jefferson County Assessor Steve Wemmie. Thomas and Wemmie used their townhalls to answer questions about their department.

Boyer hopes to continue the townhall tradition in 2022, this time with the department heads of the water and wastewater departments so the city’s residents can learn more about what they do.

New Chicago mixed use zoning

The Fairfield City Council approved a new zoning ordinance to allow mixed-use zoning in the “New Chicago” area of town where North 4th Street meets the railroad track, and the surrounding blocks. By allowing residential and businesses uses of the properties in the area, the city hopes to spur development.

Fire Station Task Force

One of the ad hoc committees formed in 2021 was a task force to study the possible relocation of the Fairfield Fire Station. The task force was formed in the spring, and in the fall announced its recommendation to the city council to build a new fire station at the corner of West Briggs Avenue and North 4th Street, on property previously belonging to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The city’s residents will vote on whether to take out a $5 million bond for the proposed fire station during a referendum on March 1.

Sale of speculative building

The city received great news in early November when it learned the 30,000-square-foot speculative building in the Business & Industrial Park had been sold. Fairfield Economic Development Association owned the building, which was built in 2020 with the help of city, county and local businesses. Just after a year following the building’s construction, FEDA announced that Sun & Fun Motorsports of Iowa City had purchased it and the 3-acre lot it sits on, on 227th Street.

Boyer said the sale of the building has the added benefit of freeing up $15,000 off the city’s books that it can put toward projects at city hall.

Wastewater treatment plant

The city finished reconstructing the wastewater treatment plant south of town, a project that was several years in the making but one that the city can now put a bow on. It’s one of a few wastewater projects the city is doing, along with reconstructing sewer lines on the east side of town.

Electric vehicle charging station

Fairfield now has four electric vehicle charging stations, the most recent addition coming in the parking lot east of the Fairfield Fire Station at the corner of Second Street and Briggs Avenue. Though the city will be responsible for maintaining the station, the cost of the electricity will be borne entirely by the user.

Library’s air conditioning unit

Boyer said the new air conditioning unit at the library might not seem very exciting, but it was a big undertaking for the library.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com