Letter to the Editor - Decorah Jobs Inc. Please Reconsider the Location for 27 Homes

Know what's happening in your hometown. Help us keep you informed. Dear Editor, Decorah Jobs Inc. has received a grant to help fund the construction of 27 single-family homes on the site of the former child care facility just off Iowa Highway 9. While providing additional housing for young families is certainly a worthwhile goal, I question whether this is the best location for these homes. Why would we choose a site where 27 families would have to enter and exit their neighborhood directly onto a 55-mph highway with limited visibility in both directions? For families with young children, traffic safety and ease of access should be among the most important considerations when selecting a site for a new residential development. A much more desirable location would be the abandoned Aase Haugen facility at the corner of Ohio Street and Valley Drive on Decorah's west side. The property is approximately twice the size of the Highway 9 site, providing room not only for housing but also for green space and a playground. The west-side location also offers significant advantages for families. Schools, swimming pool, summer and winter sports facilities, the bike trail, Decorah Prairie, and Luther College are all within a short drive—or within walking or biking distance of the property. It is a location that already has many of the amenities and recreational opportunities that make a community family-friendly. If our goal is to create safe, attractive neighborhoods where young families can thrive, we should carefully consider all available options before moving forward. Decorah Jobs Inc., please reconsider. Kent NelsonDecorah, Iowa Busy day? We've got you covered. Get local news delivered to your inbox.