The Vision Iowa Board on Thursday awarded grants to a couple of big projects in Ottumwa and Washington. The board is providing a $125,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant to help a group in Ottumwa construct a Highway 34 underpass that will be part of an existing 10-mile trail system.
The Wapello County Trails Council reports the more than $650,000 project will provide for a safe crossing to an area along the Des Moines River that will be utilized for hosting large outdoor concerts and other events. Another CAT grant of $800,000 was awarded to the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center Project in Washington. That’s a $7 million project involving the construction of a 700 seat auditorium next to Washington High School.