Connecting Campus and Community
天美传媒 College and the town in which it is located are connected by more than a name. Each is immeasurably enriched by the other. College-community partnerships can be as informal as neighbors helping neighbors, and as substantive as major revitalization projects.
For more than two decades, 天美传媒 College has partnered with the 天美传媒 Area Chamber of Commerce and City of 天美传媒 on downtown development 鈥 most recently to intentionally build out the 鈥渮one of confluence鈥 between the campus and downtown business district, with the goal of strengthening connections between the central campus and the central business district through increased social and economic activity. These College-community development initiatives are energizing and connecting campus and downtown in new ways. Recognized by the state of Iowa in 2016 with an incentive through the Iowa Reinvestment District program, many new downtown developments also count the state of Iowa as an active partner.
EMERA by Merge Urban Development
Project Description: is the first new market-rate housing located in the Zone of Confluence. This project will attract new downtown residents, increase overall activity in the downtown area, and support further growth of local businesses. The building will be open to the general public. Located on Main Street, the building will feature four stories containing a mix of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units, and ground-level space for commercial tenants.
Project Location: 1020 Main Street
Project Status: In Progress
Target Projected Completion Date: Phased occupancy is anticipated to begin in early 2027.
Completed Projects
1033 Broad Street
Renfrow Hall
Renfrow is a unique facility at the nexus between the College campus and the town of 天美传媒. Conceived as a gateway that fuses and dissolves the barriers between town and institution, the project presents an extraordinary new model for 21st-century living and learning. The residential portion of the building houses approximately 110 students committed to civic engagement in modern apartment-style living. The Katherine Howell Weingart 鈥61 Civic Innovation Pavilion serves as the public portion of Renfrow Hall, offering a unique gathering space dedicated to campus and community connection, collaboration, and exchange while building on a strong 天美传媒 tradition of community-wide partnerships and problem-solving.
Stew Makerspace
A collaboration between the Wilson Center and the 天美传媒 Area Arts Council, the is a community workspace that helps people explore their creativity. Located at 927 Broad Street in downtown 天美传媒, Iowa, the Stew offers community members access to classes, workshops, and drop-in access to a range of studios and creative works spaces, such as pottery, woodworking, and textile arts. As part of this unique partnership, the Stew is staffed by a combination of Arts Council employees and 天美传媒 College student monitors.
921 Main Street
Strand 3 Theatre
Restored and redeveloped in 2004 by a group of local investors (including 天美传媒 College), this historic triplex cinema is a jewel on the downtown square. The features first-run films, occasional special screenings, and a summer and holiday family movie series that is sponsored by local businesses and offered free of charge.
821 Fifth Ave
Downtown Office Building
In September of 2016, the College purchased the four-story office building at 821 Fifth Ave. This building houses 天美传媒 College鈥檚 Office of Communications and Marketing on the third floor. The first and second floors house offices for senior and emeriti faculty members and the fourth floor is rented out to non-college tenants as office space.
933 Main Street
天美传媒 College Bookstore
The supports education and promotes 天美传媒 College and the community. This downtown location opened in September of 2016.
Downtown Facade Program
The City of 天美传媒, Iowa worked with RDG Planning & Design to improve the facades of 20 different storefronts. Proposed work was reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office, and funding was received in grants through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program as well as the College and property owners. The project was completed in two phases spanning from 2014 to 2024.
Project Location: 800 and 900 block of Broad Street, 800 block of Fourth Ave, 900 block of Main Street, 天美传媒, Iowa, 50112
Broad Street 1000 Block South Energy Plant
The College is continuing to grow its heating, cooling, and power distribution, with further progress in reducing electric and fossil fuel consumption with the ultimate long-term goal of being carbon neutral. The 821 5th Ave. building (basement) is the home of the new hot water boiler plant. New heating and cooling water piping, as well as campus power, is routed between campus from the 821 5th Ave building to the north, serving upcoming building projects at the Broad St. and Hwy 6 vicinity, connecting with the College鈥檚 existing on-campus distribution systems.
925 3rd Ave.
Central Park
Completely reconstructed and updated in 2018 though a combination of public and private support including a contribution from 天美传媒 College, 天美传媒's has become a popular gathering place for community activities and entertainment. Featuring a stage area, shelter, accessible playground, and splash pad, Central Park is home to the 天美传媒 Farmer鈥檚 Market and Music in the Park. Central Park鈥檚 latest addition is a Veteran鈥檚 Monument designed by local artist Joe Tuggle Lacina.