by Beacon Staff
Bob Brueck and Blaul Lofts were recognized at the recent Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration held in Des Moines on April 22. The honors were presented by Governor Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority.
Brueck, often referred to as “Mr. Downtown,” was honored with a posthumous leadership award for his vision for preserving and renovating buildings in downtown Burlington. Judy Shotwell Brueck accepted the award on his behalf, and many family members were in attendance.
The 2022 Main Street Iowa Development Award for Best Large Housing Project went to the Blaul Lofts for the rehab of the building at 116 N. Fifth St. This year, 13 projects were selected to be recognized from the 76 competitive nominations submitted.
In 1985, the Iowa Legislature adopted Main Street America’s Four Point Approach® to district revitalization by establishing Main Street Iowa within the agency that is now the IEDA. Since then, local Main Street programs have made a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, including 5,237 new businesses, 15,759 jobs, and more than 13,000 building projects totaling more than $2.4 billion in private investment. Downtown Partners, Inc. has been an accredited Main Street Program since 1996.