The planning process for the Riverfront began in 2011 with a community-driven effort that led to the 2014 Riverfront Renaissance Plan. A plan that envisioned the future of Ottumwa’s most important natural resource – the Des Moines River.
This process was designed to consider the reuse and development of the land adjacent to the three miles of river that flow through the city. The designing was grounded in the principles of inclusion and participation with a public process that extended over several months, guided by Chattanooga Urban Designer Christian Rushing until his untimely death in 2017.
Fast forward to the present and you will see a renewed and exciting vision for Market Street Landing. Planning for Market Street Landing began in 2023 with the creation of the Riverfront Steering Committee and support from the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation. This initiative builds on the foundation laid by earlier planning efforts while addressing the immediate revitalization needs of this area.
