Glenwood Resource Center Redevelopment Plan
With the State of Iowa’s direction to repurpose the Glenwood Resource Center (GRC), the Iowa Economic Development Authority has begun working with local leaders to reimagine the 380-acre campus and provide Glenwood with an asset that can be a source of community pride. The resulting master plan will:
- Reflect input from stakeholders and the public
- Consider cultural resources and sensitivities
- Define opportunities for improved access
- Promote economic synergies and employment opportunities
- Provide a roadmap for sustained growth
February 2024 Update
After more than a year of planning, due diligence, and a public engagement period HDR and their team published the redevelopment plan that provides a vision for the future of the GRC campus. That document is linked below.
Anticipated Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the project at GRC?
The Glenwood Resource Center is being closed by the State of Iowa and will be redeveloped. The current project involves a market assessment, visioning session, and design workshop that will help the consulting team produce a master plan for the redevelopment of the site.
- What is being considered to replace GRC?
The nature of what will be included in the master redevelopment plan has not yet been determined. A market assessment, visioning session with the task force, and design workshop with public involvement and feedback will help guide the team to a final plan.
- What will happen to the cemetery?
The cemetery on site will remain accessible throughout GRC’s closure and redevelopment. Visiting the cemetery is protected by the Iowa Cemetery Act Sec. 523I.317 Duty to provide Public Access.
- Why is GRC being shut down?
See https://hhs.iowa.gov/doj for more information on GRC’s closure.
- Can I still visit GRC?
GRC as a Health and Human Services (HHS) entity will no longer exist after closure. Buildings/land are currently state owned and the roadways are public. Visiting the cemetery is protected by the Iowa Cemetery Act Sec. 523I.317 Duty to provide Public Access.
- How can I provide feedback or comments about the project?
The project team requested public input each night of the four-day design workshop, which was held from April 24 – April 27, 2023. The public was invited to join the project team at the design workshop from 5:30-7 p.m. The team worked on design concepts during the day, and each evening, the public was invited to a “pin-up” session where the project team presented their work and asked for comments and feedback. The next day, the project team worked to incorporate this feedback. This process repeated all four days of the workshop, leading to community consensus on a preferred concept.
If you have additional concerns, comments, or questions, please send your name, contact information, and comment to the contact listed below, and a member of the project team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Project Partners
To guide the plan for redevelopment of the GRC site, the following project partners have been established and each play a unique role.
The State of Iowa: The State of Iowa has provided direction to repurpose the Glenwood Resource Center site. The State will continue to provide input and feedback on the direction of the redevelopment plan project.
The Community Task Force: A Community Task Force has been established to represent the community of Glenwood and provide input and feedback on behalf of the community. The Task Force will provide information to the project team and serve a supervisory role, ensuring that the redevelopment plan will guide the site redevelopment into an asset that meets the community’s goals.
HDR: HDR will serve as lead consultant on the project, driving the data collection, visioning session, design workshop, and master plan development.
S.B. Friedman Development Advisors: S.B. Friedman Development Advisors will prepare a market assessment that will provide information to guide the redevelopment plan.
NuStyle Development and Arch-Icon: NuStyle Development and Arch-Icon will serve as strategic development advisors to the project partners.
The public: The public will be asked to provide input and feedback to the project team during the four-day Design Workshop. Public comment will be used to achieve consensus on the preferred concept and provide direction for the redevelopment of the site.
Taskforce Members
| Name | Position | Organization |
| Debi Durham | Director | Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) |
| Adam Steen | Director | State of Iowa Department of Administrative Services |
| Paul Carlson | Public Service Executive | State of Iowa |
| Andrew Rainbolt | Executive Director | Mills County Economic Development Foundation (MCEDF) |
| Richard Crouch | Vice Chair | Board of Supervisors, Mills County |
| Amber Farnan | City Administrator | City of Glenwood |
| Devin Embray | Superintendent | Glenwood Community School District |
| Larry Winum | CEO | Glenwood State Bank |
| Mark Lincoln | President | Mills County Economic Development Foundation (MCEDF) |
| Dax Landeen | Assistant Superintendent/Business Manager | Glenwood Resource Center |
December 2022 Update
Data collection related to GRC site characteristics is currently underway. This includes activities to evaluate terrain, vehicle and pedestrian circulation, building(s) condition, historically significant components, and stakeholder interviews. Concurrently, a market analysis is underway to consider viable type(s) of development that could occur within the site. The site analysis will be posted to this webpage as it becomes available.
March 2023 Update
A visioning session was held with the identified project task force on February 21, 2023. The goal of the visioning session is to align the market assessment with ideas for the redevelopment of the GRC site. The results of the visioning session will be posted to this webpage when they become available.