Free 4th of July shuttle will be offered in Marshalltown | News, Sports, Jobs

The change in location for the Fourth of July fireworks this year – from the old location at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds to the new location at the South 6th Street softball fields – may require a bit of adjustment for some residents, but A free shuttle will be available at several collection points across the city after the Marshalltown City Council discussed the issue at the end of Monday night’s meeting.

Public Works Director Heather Thomas, who joked that she was looking to “energize the meeting a little,” took to the podium and asked the rhetorical question, “Who’s ready for a celebration?” She said Councilman Mike Ladehoff contacted her about transportation options for the July 4 celebration and allowed Ladehoff and fireworks committee head Luisa Ortega to provide more details.

Thomas sought to clarify whether the board wanted Marshalltown Municipal Transit (MMT) to operate that day and whether or not a fare should be charged – she had already spoken with staff and determined they had enough drivers to operate two buses.

“The basic idea is we want people to come to the event and want to participate in the event, the dances, all that kind of stuff, and we want to make sure everyone has access to the celebration.” » said Ladehoff. “We’re looking at a loop with both buses stopping at the Marshalltown Mall and also at the courthouse so you can get on the bus (and) come to the celebration.”

He added that both buses will run on the same loop, so there will be no fear of taking the wrong bus. Ortega then spoke and said the conversation about a bus option stemmed from concerns about parking availability in the new fireworks area, and she said she had obtained permission to use the mall and courthouse as pickup sites.

The only remaining question was whether or not to charge a fare, but Ortega was confident he could find local businesses to sponsor free rides to and from the fair. Councilman Jeff Schneider agreed with the idea of ​​providing the rides for free, and Acting Mayor/City Administrator Joel Greer called the fee “a drop in the ocean” in the greater broader budget plan.

“Your committee and the advisors who helped you with fundraising did a very good job. This is going to be a great event,” Greer told Ortega. “I believe you have a permanent position on the fireworks committee.”

Doris Kinnick said she liked the idea of ​​buses and not having to find a place to park. She also suggested a tip jar to help cover costs while still offering rides for free.

“I would be more than willing to put a dollar in a tip jar for a bus ride to this event,” she said.

Ladehoff praised Thomas for springing into action by providing the rides.

“It worked really well. We’re really looking forward to it and I think we’re going to have a great time,” he said.

Lonnie Hogeland was on board with the idea of ​​making it free and providing a tip jar, and he added that he knew of an auto center – his own – that would be willing to donate and “make move things forward.”

With consensus emerging among council and the public, Greer felt it was enough to give staff guidelines to opt for a free transportation option. Before the meeting went behind closed doors, 4th District City Council candidate Melisa Fonseca commented on the possibility of biking to the event, another way to alleviate parking problems.

On Thursday, Ladehoff confirmed that buses would run free on the 4th, highlighting a few key points of interest.

Major stops are the main entrance to Marshalltown Mall, the MHS Roundhouse, the south side of the courthouse, the south side of Miller Middle School, and the softball complex on 6th Street near the skate park.

The shuttle will start at 4:00 p.m. and end at 10:00 p.m. but may run later depending on demand.

Buses will arrive at stops approximately every 15 minutes.

Anyone can stop a bus at any street intersection along the route to get on or off.

All buses are wheelchair accessible and the driver will assist passengers in getting on and off the bus as well as securing all wheelchairs, strollers, walkers and any other mobility devices.

All buses are equipped with bicycle racks.

The service will be free and all tips collected will be donated to next year’s fireworks fund.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or [email protected].

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