Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce
Design Committee Purpose
The purpose of the Design Team is to create an inviting community atmosphere; celebrate our community’s historic character; and foster accessible, people-centered public spaces.
Committee Members
Rich Ziettlow, Chair, Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Individual Member
Sue Brandenburg, KLEM Radio/Powell Broadcasting
Iris Hemmingson, Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Individual Member
Julie Hurt, CENTURY 21 ProLink
Mark Sturgeon, City of Le Mars
Debra VanDenBurg, Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Individual Member
Current Activities
Façade Grant Administration
The City of Le Mars supports this program by offering matching (1:1) grants for façade renovation projects. Funding is available to commercial properties within Le Mars city limits and, at the committee’s discretion, to non-commercial buildings with historic designations.
Since the program initiation in 2004, funds have been allocated annually by the City of Le Mars based on program needs. As of April 2026, total of $452,500 has been provided, of which $407,288 has been awarded supporting 93 facade projects.
Downtown Scavenger Hunts
To encourage attendees of Ice Cream Days and Christmas in Hometown Le Mars to explore and support local businesses, interactive scavenger hunts “I Spy Ice Cream” and “Find the Joy” are held during each respective celebration.
Fiberglass Cones
More than 55 six-foot fiberglass ice cream cones are displayed throughout the community, creating a unique and vibrant public art experience. These cones are available for local businesses to sponsor, paint, and install at their own locations.
Participating businesses are responsible for purchasing the cone, selecting a design, and commissioning an artist. All designs are reviewed and approved by the Design Team to ensure consistency and quality. Once the cone is completed, the Design Team coordinates with the City of Le Mars for installation.
The cost of each cone is $3,000, with a $1,500 deposit due at the time of application and the remaining balance due upon installation.
This program is made possible through a partnership with Side-by-Side Ministries.
Ice Cream Cone Sculpture Application
Past Projects
Alley Art
The first artwork was installed in September 2013. A total of 115 people worked on the murals, including 38 local professional artists. Artwork is installed on 42 buildings in 10 downtown alleys. Guided tours are a popular request for the various tour groups coming to town. In 2026 the project was turned over to the Le Mars Arts Center for ongoing support and maintenance of the artwork. Learn more here: https://www.lemarsarts.com/alley-art
Community History Driving Tour
The self-guided driving tour begins in downtown at the first concrete paved street in Iowa proceeds around and outside Le Mars to important sites in Le Mars history: restaurants, golf courses, Moreton farm, first airport, fairgrounds, court house, first school house, parks, WPA projects.
Youth on Main Street
In 2015-2022 the YoMS program was offered to high school juniors. The group met once a month on the early-out Wednesdays. The students were immersed in Le Mars’ history and developed their own project(s) out of what they learned. Projects included: Downtown Historical Tour, murals/banners on the Armory building, history of the Plymouth County Fair, County Fair historical scavenger hunt, downtown vacant store window artwork, and posters of Le Mars historical characters for the County Museum.
Seniors on Main Street
Jealous of the activities in the Youth on Main Street, adults requested a similar program. SoMS was a six-week 90-minute program held in the Ice Cream Parlor with guest speakers the first five weeks presenting unique history of Le Mars. The final session was an “open-mic” session for attendees to share their stories of Le Mars.
You Are Here Signs
Maps of downtown Le Mars foot traffic to navigate the downtown district.
Wayfaring Signs
At various entry points into Le Mars, signs were installed giving directions to key tourism sites: downtown, golf course, parks, etc.
Historic District Signs
Signs are installed at the boundaries of the three designated historic districts: Downtown, Foster Park and Municipal Park.
Downtown Historical Scavenger Hunt
In conjunction with the Historic Preservation Commission, a scavenger hunt is available that has the participants visiting many downtown structures and at each stop a brief history of the building is provided and the “hunt” item is related to an historic feature on the building.