BUILDING A BETTER OTTUMWA

WE DO MORE THAN JUST SELL REAL ESTATE

Ask one of our agents what a community is and they'll tell you it's more than just businesses and buildings -- it's the people who live there. Ottumwa is a vibrant community made up of active go-getters, volunteers, leaders, and dreamers. We understand that progress isn't something that just happens. Whether we're sponsoring a local event, leading a committee in our local Rotary or Kiwanas Club, serving as a board president for the symphony, or volunteering at one of Ottumwa's many community functions; as real estate professionals, we're proud of the role we play in strengthening our community in Ottumwa.

BETTER BLOCK

REALTORS® in Ottumwa, Iowa Help Bring Life Back to Their Downtown
national association of realtors feature success story - november 2017

“'The vision became real – if only for a short time – and we saw what it would be like to bring our Main Street back to life.'” 

Those were the words of Steve Campbell, an Ottumwa, Iowa, REALTOR® from who spearheaded his board’s involvement in a highly successful Better Block Project in his home town.

With a $15,000 REALTOR® Party Smart Growth Action Grant, money of their own, elbow grease and lots of enthusiasm, the South East Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS® partnered with the Better Block Foundation and other community leaders to host the Main Street Ottumwa Better Block Party, October 12-15.

'Overnight, our quiet and struggling downtown commercial area became what it was always meant to be,' Campbell says.  'It became a place to come together to shop, eat, play games, enjoy some music and even dance!'" Read More...

BETTER BLOCK RESOURCES

To learn more about the Better Block Foundation and how you can build your own better block, click the links below.

"The Better Block team visited Ottumwa, Iowa on July 24th and 25th, 2017 to kickstart the October project in Ottumwa. During that time, we met with over 50 local groups and individuals to discuss how best to apply the Better Block process to the 300 block of Downtown, with a focus on public art, health, transportation, and economic development. The trip culminated in a public presentation with over 100 community members present. Since then, we’ve been gathering survey responses from those same community members on how to improve Downtown Ottumwa quickly and from the ground-up. As of August 15th, 2017, the survey garnered 345 responses, which are summarized in this report." - Better Block

BETTER BLOCK MEDIA

SPONSORSHIP

It's hard to find a weekend where there isn't an event happening in Ottumwa. In the last two years, Ottumwa has hosted two major statewide events, RAGBRAI and Fly Iowa, attracting more than 40,000 visitors to our city. From bike nights to movie nights, rock concerts to symphony concerts, there's no shortage of entertainment in Ottumwa. We're proud to help sponsor unique events that showcase our community to visitors and instill pride in Ottumwa's citizens. 

FLY IOWA AIRSHOW

PROUD SPONSOR

Ottumwa has a rich history and tradition in aviation, being home to the last surviving Naval Air Station built during WWII. During its operation, 300 yellow Stearman biplanes would take off twice daily for training. U.S. President Richard Nixon was stationed in Ottumwa and following the war, more than 5,000 pilots had been trained at the base. 

In 2017, Ottumwa hosted what has been called "the most successful Fly Iowa event in its 25 years of operation" -- featuring 3 days of airshows by the top performers in the world. An estimated 20,000 people gathered at the Ottumwa airport for death defying feats of astounding aviation acrobatics, bi-plane rides, concerts, delicious fair food, a simulated dogfight between a Japanese Zero and the mighty American P-51 Mustang, and the chance to meet many of the planes and pilots up close and personal. The event was entirely funded through community donations and contributions, allowing families from across Iowa to attend free of charge.

The event was so successful that community leaders, sponsors, and volunteers have decided to create an annual airshow event "Fly Ottumwa" which will take to the skies on August 24-26, 2018. 

ROCK THE BLOCK

PROUD SPONSOR

For the first time in more than 75 years, The Ottumwa opened its doors to a live performance on stage. In conjunction with the Better Block Build & Block Party, the Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau and Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation organized a once in a lifetime rock concert inside the abandoned Ottumwa theater, in an effort to muster community support to begin restoration efforts. The concert featured the spectacular 80's tribute band "Members Only". Nearly 500 people poured into the old theater with lawn chairs in hand, strutting phanny packs, perms, headbands, and acid wash jeans. 

"We wanted to sponsor this event because it's the kind of thing that inspires hope in our community. The Ottumwa has always been an icon and, when the facade was refurbished last year, you could tell the whole town was excited. Realtors have an important role in helping advance property development and this concert really helped people get excited about the future of Ottumwa." - Steve Campbell

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Civic organizations and non-profits are one of the crucial elements of sustaining quality of life in a community. Steve is a proud active member of our local Rotary chapter -- an organization that helps address the needs of our community and promoting a higher sense of unity among our local leaders. Steve has served as the Ottumwa Chapter and Governing Board President for the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. He currently acts as the marching band coordinator for the annual Oktoberfest Parade since 2012; an event that draws more than 1,000 student musicians from around Southeast Iowa to Ottumwa for a parade and drumline competition.