Issues

Fix Our Public Transit

Marshalltown residents deserve a public transit system that works for everyone. Right now, our bus routes and schedules make it hard for many residents to get to work, school, medical appointments, and businesses across town.

The Problem

  • Hours that don’t match the needs of working families and shift workers

  • Routes that take far longer than they should

  • Too few fixed routes to serve residents efficiently

The Solution

  • Increase frequency on fixed routes

  • Invest in our transit system to fix staffing shortages and replace broken buses

  • Improve routes to balance ridership, rider experience, and neighborhood coverage.

Why It Matters

  • Local economies thrive when reliable public transit connects people to jobs, shops, and services

  • Transportation barriers can deny people access to basic needs like groceries, healthcare, and employment

  • Ensuring everyone has a way to get around is not just good policy — it’s the right thing to do

Expand Housing Options

Marshalltown needs more housing choices so everyone from young adults to seniors can find a safe, affordable place to call home. Right now, rising rents, limited supply, and aging housing stock are squeezing too many residents out of our community.

The Problem

  • Housing costs are rising faster than wages

  • Too few affordable and mid-range homes are being built

  • Many older homes are in need of repair or modernization

The Solution

  • Encourage development of mixed-income housing, including duplexes, townhomes, and apartments

  • Revitalize aging housing through grants, partnerships, and code enforcement that helps — not hinders — owners

  • Update zoning to make it easier to build housing in underused areas, especially downtown and near transit

Why It Matters

  • A wider range of housing keeps Marshalltown competitive for attracting workers and families

  • Stable, affordable homes reduce homelessness and help people build wealth

  • Housing is the foundation for a healthy, thriving community

Support Our Downtown

Downtown Marshalltown has come a long way thanks to years of investment, planning, and hard work. There is no doubt the City Council’s strong commitment to reconstruction has made a real difference. But the job isn’t done yet. We must finish what we’ve started and make sure downtown continues to grow as a vibrant hub for business, culture, and community life.

The Problem

  • While progress is clear, some projects remain incomplete

  • A few storefronts and spaces still sit empty or underused

  • Continued investment is needed to keep downtown safe, accessible, and inviting

The Solution

  • Stay the course on the City’s downtown reconstruction agenda and see projects through to completion

  • Enhance walkability, lighting, and public spaces to encourage more visitors and events downtown

  • Promote mixed-use and residential development so more people can live, work, and shop downtown

Why It Matters

  • Downtown is Marshalltown’s front porch — it’s where our community comes together

  • Continued investment will attract new businesses, boost tourism, and strengthen our local economy

  • A strong downtown benefits every neighborhood, because a healthy city core makes the whole community stronger