Bondurant

The City of Bondurant is one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa, with a median age of 31. Economic Development efforts have netted more than 3,500 jobs over the past few years. The City also recently had the Farmers’ Cooperative announce it was closing operations, leaving Bondurant with 24-acres with grain silos on it for redevelopment in the downtown area. The City is a regional trail hub and a designated Iowa Great Place. Bondurant also has built a reputation of an artsy community with a strong hometown feel, supported by multiple public festivals each year.

logo in royal blue, lime green, and sunny yellow
County
Polk

Projects

A carnival ride with grain siloes in the background

Bondurant - Collecting Oral Histories

Published
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

A community is built on its history and work needs to be done to maintain the stories and objects related to its past. As Bondurant grows and evolves, there is a desire to retain and safe-keep the history of those who have deep roots to the area and its traditions.

old yellowed photo of large white wooden house on what appears to be a large, open plot of land.

Bondurant - Historical Society Archiving

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Bondurant is a city deeply rooted in farming and agricultural traditions. It is currently experiencing rapid growth, which is shifting its identity. The city is balancing responsible growth with observance of its past.

Grain silo that's been turned into a house with a deck on the second floor and outside seating.

Bondurant - Law and Policy to Support Community-Driven Redevelopment

Published
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Bondurant, Iowa, like other communities in Iowa, is facing a critical question:  How can the city repurpose the grain silo complex in downtown and make it a catalyst for growth and development? This is a complicated question of identity, design, law, funding, honoring the past, and envisioning the future. The City’s goal is to repurpose a 24-acre parcel of land in the middle of downtown, which has silos, grain elevators, and railroad tracks. These buildings have long been part of the fabric of the community and the city skyline.

close up of orange and blue abstract mural with blue sky above

Bondurant - Mural on Emergency Services building

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Artist Drew Etienne (MFA, University of Iowa) will design and paint a mural on Bondurant's Emergency Services building. 

Autumnal path

Bondurant - Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Published
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

The City of Bondurant seeks a new Parks & Recreation Master Plan that provides comprehensive vision for the local park system, recreation facilities, natural resources, and other public open spaces. The most recent plan was completed in 2013, and Bondurant’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan provides a strong foundation for updating the Master Plan. The Plan will identify strategies to enhance, expand, and protect features that support active lifestyles, equitable access, and a healthy community.

A narrow stream surrounded by grassy green banks and some trees in the distance.

Bondurant - Stream buffer overlay district mapping

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Bondurant adopted Chapter 167 Stream Buffer Protection and Management in an effort to protect the various streams that flow through its city limits. This project will include the mapping of the streams that flow through Bondurant, applying the appropriate buffer zone to each zone, and/or applying the appropriate maintenance zone to each stream. Students in ICIGO will help Bondurant citizens as well as city staff identify undevelopable land surrounding these streams. 

People hiking as seen from road-level with a closeup of a boot.

Bondurant - Trail Expansion Project

Published
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

For their capstone project in Civil and Environmental Engineering, a team of students will create a new trail system that connects to an existing county trail and moves users into downtown Bondurant. 

As a growing community, Bondurant is eager to develop recreation opportunities for local people, while also providing enticing reasons to visit the area. Combining existing trails and building new ones is a goal toward keeping Bondurant on the move!