Year in Review 2022

As the new year begins, we take a look back 

at the stories which made headlines in 2022

 

Before we raise a glass and kiss 2022 good-bye, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the stories which shaped our community in the past 12 months.  Here is the Mirror-Reporter’s look back at the top stories of the year.

 

# 1 Vision for Surf 

District awarded

 

#1 State awards funds to Surf District vision

The year ended with an announcement by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority with huge implications.  The City of Clear Lake has been awarded $4,370,000 toward its Clear Lake Surf District project.  The Destination Iowa program uses funds from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act to help communities move forward on “transformational, shovel-ready attractions.  Chief among the qualifications for the grant was that both public and private investment must be demonstrated. In Clear Lake’s case, that was accomplished with a “bold initiative” which has the City as the lender to the non-profit 501c3 to provide the necessary capital to build and own a 45-room boutique hotel. The nonprofit will then contract with a third party manager to operate the hotel. “The Oaks” will be reminiscent of the former hotel by the same name which stood on the site of the Hilltop Motel from 1893 to 1922.  The Hilltop Motel has already been acquired for the project. 

With the hotel representing private investment in the area, not eligible for any grant funding, State grant money will be used for other aspects of the overall Surf District project: A new Music Enrichment Center for the Surf will be constructed immediately west of the ballroom, replacing smaller buildings east of the ballroom which are currently used. A waterfront component of the plan is considered very significant. The new Surf District plan uses the yard of the Fox home across from the ballroom which the Surf already owns, and expands it by acquiring a residential property next door.  Other components of the plan include a Surf District Lighthouse Visitor Center at the site of the current Surf-owned restaurant known as the Legacy Grill. The lighthouse would be a nod to the A&W Light House Drive Inn which was located in the Surf’s parking area in the 1960s. A new lighthouse would hold a welcome center, exhibit space, restrooms, and possible food service and small theater. 

The story will likely continue to rank among top news for years to come, as the “re-imagination of the area” will likely spark additional development and transformation of blighted properties.

 

# 2 Sea Wall

restoration

Work began in April on the restoration of the Clear Lake Sea Wall.  TNT Tuckpointing & Building Restoration, of Stockton, Iowa secured the job with a bid of $186,930.  Historians report the Clear Lake Sea Wall was a WPA project completed on July 1, 1936. The split-boulder retaining wall located just west of City Park was commissioned by state conservation officials and constructed by workmen from a transient camp located north of Mason City. In recent years and months the Sea Wall’s mortar has been crumbling and rocks have either fallen or been pulled from the wall.  The project was completed in May.

 

# 3

 

After more than a quarter century, Serta Simmons Bedding announced in April it would be closing its Clear Lake manufacturing facility.  The company stated the move was part of a broader, company-wide effort to consolidate its manufacturing operation with other facilities in its network. The news came as a surprise not only to the 86 employees at the facility, but to city leadership, as well.  The Serta Mattress Company constructed its Clear Lake facility, located on 4th Avenue South, in 1995. It opened on May 1, 1995 to serve the Upper Midwest Region, including Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Nebraska.

In July, North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation CEO Chad Schreck informed the Clear Lake City Council of pending action on the sale of the building. Approximately 35 to 40 new jobs are anticipated in the first year by a still undisclosed light industrial manufacturer. 

 

# 5

The City Council approved a $1.3 million in bond issue in January to fund a new city park on South 15th Street. The bond issue will fund about 70 percent of the projected cost to turn the former county shed property into an all-inclusive playground with adjoining splash pad and park area.  

Ground was broken in October on the Everybody Plays Inclusive Park and Playground, located at 1420 2nd Ave. S., just east of the Clear Lake Aquatic Center. The anticipated completion date for the project is Labor Day of 2023. 

 

# 6

Construction of a Hy-Vee store in Clear Lake was among several projects the grocery retailer put on pause in the Spring of 2022.

It was Fall 2021 when the City of Clear Lake confirmed Hy-Vee would be building in Clear Lake.  A letter of intent was approved at the Sept. 21 Council meeting for the development of a six-and one-half acre parcel of property in the Willow Creek Urban Renewal Area, located north of Highway 18 near North 20th Street. The proposed project was an $8 million, 50,000 square foot commercial and retail building with a surface parking lot on approximately six and one-half acres. 

In May, Hy-Vee canceled plans to build several stores in Minnesota and put its land in West St. Paul, Farmington, Blaine, Maple Grove and Chaska up for sale.  The company also asked up to 500 of its employees to move from corporate-level jobs to retail positions at its stores.  The move comes after the company already eliminated 121 corporate-level positions in March.  A spokesman for Hy-Vee told the Mirror-Reporter in May that the company is still working on the scope of the project.

 

# 7

 

The need for additional housing was addressed repeatedly by local officials in 2022.  Calling it “Clear Lake’s number one need,” the City Council approved a professional engineering services agreement in June  for development of sewer and water extension to serve a potential housing development on South 8th Street. 

Developers have approached the City concerning development of 25.6 acres located just west of South 8th Street at 15th Avenue South, as well as 71 acres north of Highway 18 and west of North 20th Street.

Housing projects which broke ground in 2022 included 7.45 acres of land at 2605 South Shore Drive where  a 22-lot residential subdivision, consisting of single-family dwellings and duplexes (twin homes) will take shape in 2023, as well as  the 42 acre Emerald Edge Subdivision north of Highway 18.

 

# 8

The New Orleans Saints made Trevor Penning, from Clear Lake, the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Penning was in town to share the draft experience with family and friends at The Other Place.  The 6’7”, 325-pound offensive lineman’s name was announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on ABC/ESPN.  Penning, who played his high school football at Newman Catholic and college ball at the University of Northern Iowa became the Panthers’ highest draft pick in school history. 

 

# 9

Portions of Clear Lake received significant storm damage Tuesday night, April 12, but the community was spared any tornado touchdowns.  According to the National Weather Service, there were eight confirmed tornadoes associated with the storm. In Mason City, tornado damage occurred in southern and eastern parts of the community. The tornado lasted six minutes, from 10:26 to 10:32 p.m., with wind speeds reaching 100 to 110 mph.  The tornado tracked 4.4 miles, from just north of the intersection of US Highways 18 and 65, continuing to the northeast and impacting the far eastern portion of Mason City, including the Eastbrooke addition.  Mike Oimoen, director of golf at Veterans Memorial just off North Shore Drive in Clear Lake, reported a roof was blown off a cart shed at the course. The 18-unit building housed 36 carts. One Vision and the local transit also had damage from the storm.