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Monona Council discusses proposed lot purchase for new Family Dentistry office

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By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Monday night, the Monona Council discussed the proposed purchase and sale agreement of a city lot, located behind Fisk’s Farm and Home and the Davis Street Car Wash, for construction of a new Family Dentistry Associates of Monona office.

“We’re cramped for space a lot of the time in terms of treatment rooms and parking,” noted Dr. Mark Fohey of the current office at 101 Franklin St.

Fohey said expanding the current office was considered, but ultimately not feasible. 

The lot, which sits between Fisk’s and the Monona Family Aquatic Center, is 2.14 acres. If the council approves the purchase, a 4,000-square-foot office would be constructed in the southwest corner of the lot. The building would have a residential-style look with brick and limestone, the design of which Fohey said is somewhat based on his office in Prairie du Chien.

“It’s oriented so there will be good visibility from the highway,” Fohey said.

If the building is constructed, a large percentage of the lot will be left open. There are currently no plans for that space, he added.

Fohey also addressed the current building, explaining that it will be put up for sale.

Fohey’s requesting a 10-year tax abatement on the new property, which he said he hopes the council accepts in recognition of his commitment to the community.

“I’ve invested a lot in this community for 30 years and plan to be here for many years yet,” he said. “We’ll be paying taxes there a lot longer than 10 years.”

Council members expressed happiness at the plans, with Dan Havlicek noting, “It’s great that you want to build out there and expand in Monona.”

“I like the building and the layout,” added John Elledge. “It looks sharp.”

Wanting more time to consider the proposal, the council agreed to table discussion until its Dec. 21 regular meeting. Before the council can take final action, a public hearing must first be held, noted city administrator Dan Canton.

Growth management planning

The council selected McClure Engineering Company to work with the city on its growth planning initiative. This is pending reception of a grant from the Iowa Area Development Group that would help provide the city, through the engineering firm, with studies to show Monona’s financial ability to expand and provide recommendations for growth.

The Iowa Area Development Group is the business and community development leader for over 250 member-owned electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and independent telecommunication companies (including NEIT in Monona) throughout the state. Through a grant program, the community could receive $5,000, along with a $5,000 match, which NEIT has agreed to contribute, for the planning. If funding comes through, the city will also have to provide around $2,700.

Award

The city’s aquatic center parking lot project has received another award, this time from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Iowa. Engineer Jon Biederman, who worked with the city on the improvement project, will accept the Honor Award in the special projects category of the 2016 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition.

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