Comprehensive plan creates new objectives and action plans to improve Newton for the next 20 years

Feedback received from residents over the course of the past year resulted in a new comprehensive plan for Newton, which prioritizes economic development and support for existing business, infrastructure maintenance and enhancement, better curb appeal and efforts that make the city a compelling destination.

Newton City Council adopted the more than 100-page document, which is called Envision Newton 2042. The document replaces — and in many cases builds upon — Newton’s Future, the former comprehensive plan that was established in 2012. The new plan is a collection of a year’s worth of community engagement.

Residents and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds helped guide city staff and MSA Professional Services, the contracted project consultant, throughout the entire planning process. Input was received via in-person meetings and online surveys, among other methods like interviews and focus groups.

Council member Evelyn George, who acted as mayor pro-tem on Dec. 5, remarked about the plan’s name. “I tell ya, 2042 just sounds so far away to me.”

Newton Community Development Director Erin Chambers said 2042 does sound a long ways away, but it’s only 20 years. The new comprehensive plan, she added, sets forth a vision for the community. Chambers wanted to touch on the key highlights of the plan, found early on in the document.

Included in the new comprehensive plan are four strategic objectives, which are featured in the document’s vision statement. The vision statement reads: “Newton, a growing Central Iowa community, invites visitors, businesses and residents to experience our authentic, small-town charm and big city amenities.”

The four strategic objectives provide additional clarity to the vision statement and are represented by a specific icon:

• Objective No. 1: Establish Newton as a compelling destination by integrating attractions, business types, and services that provide engaging experiences for both residents and visitors. (This objective is represented as a blue location pin.)

• Objective No. 2: Focus economic development efforts on population and business growth by simultaneously supporting existing employers while attracting new employers and supporting citizens working remotely. (This objective is represented as a stack of coins.)

• Objective No. 3: Elevate Newton’s curb appeal, with a focus on primary corridors, through improvements to both public and private spaces. (This objective is represented as a flower.)

• Objective No. 4: Maintain Newton’s existing infrastructure system while also enhancing or expanding the system to support a high quality of life and community growth. (This objective is represented as a hand holding a wrench.)

Chambers said, “The plan’s individual recommendations in each chapter connect back in some way to each of these strategic objectives. Throughout the plan you’ll notice various icons … All of those hit on each of these strategic objectives with those icons signaling to you which ones they lead back to.”

Envision Newton 2042 also breaks down the city’s characteristics — such as natural resources, demographics and growth, housing, government, parks and recreation, etc. — into individual chapters. The final chapters are dedicated to implementation and an action plan, which acts as a sort of checklist.

“This is a great tool for staff, for council members to use and start to plan out, to document efforts that are underway or as accomplishments,” Chambers said. “…Tracking that and continually bringing that plan back over the years will ensure this plan remains relevant and continues to guide Newton in a positive way.”

Council member Vicki Wade asked how city staff would promote the plan and distribute the information to residents. Chambers said most citizens probably won’t take a deep dive into the large document, but staff will provide different versions of the plan that will have condensed information.

To view the plan, visit www.newtongov.org/DocumentCenter/View/9145/Envision-Newton-2042 or type “comprehensive plan” in the search bar of the city website.