Sheldon, Iowa — The western entrance of Sheldon is going to look a little different soon. And there will be a detour in place on Saturday to help accomplish that goal.
Sheldon City Manager Sam Kooiker says there will be a controlled burn at 415 West Park Street on Saturday, June 7th. For those from out-of-town, Park Street is Highway 18 in Sheldon.
Kooiker says, “The removal of this building will be a significant improvement for our western gateway.” He says the Sheldon Chamber & Development Corporation (SCDC) will soon be listing the property and taking proposals for redevelopment.
Fire Chief Brad Hindt says firefighters, while burning the building so future development can occur, will also be using the fire as a training opportunity. He says the work will begin at 7:00 a.m. Saturday and hopefully be completed by 12:00 (noon). He says that the training fire is located along a main highway with heavy traffic, so Highway 18 will be detoured. With assistance from the Iowa DOT, Hindt tells us the detour route going west will be at Highway 18 and 2nd Ave (Old 60), south on 2nd Avenue to 16th Street/330th Street around NCC on Marsh Avenue, to Highway 18. Eastbound traffic will take the same route, but the other way around.
People are asked to use the posted detour.
Hindt says if there are weather or other issues and the burn needs to be postponed, the backup date is June 14th.
